Spencer Hanover and Nezuko Kamado S get EBC wins

Vernon Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for 3-year-old trotting fillies as well as the sophomore colts & geldings on Friday (June 12).

Spencer Hanover (Jason Bartlett) wins the $176,530 EBC for colts & geldings.

Read The Room (Sarah Svanstedt) took the early lead and led to the quarter in :29.0.   As they headed down the backstretch Spencer Hanover ($2.10) made his move first-over from third and took command to the half in :58.1.  He then cruised to three quarters in 1:26.1.

As they reached the stretch Read The Room popped out of the pocket and went after the leader but could not get to Spencer Hanover.  Second place finisher Twin B Seven Sins (Niko Karna) made a strong late bid, but Spencer Hanover had the jump and won in 1:54.3.  Seven Grand (Ake Svanstedt) finished third.

SPENCER HANOVER REPLAY

 

Spencer Hanover is a colt by Chapter Seven.  He is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeffrey Snyder and Arthur Pronti.  He is now four for four in 2026.  It was his seventh career victory.

Nezuko Kamado S (Scott Zeron) takes the $195,020 EBC for fillies.

Sharp Seven (Jeff Gregory) laid down all the early fractions.  First to the quarter in :28.0, first to the half in :56.2.  She led to three quarters in 1:24.3.

As they reached the stretch, the first to make a move was second place finisher R Ro (Tyler Buter).  Nezuko Kamado S ($3.24) came flying from the far outside and blew on by to win equaling her lifetime mark in 1:52.4.  Lauren’s Chapter (Niko Karma) finished third.

NEZUKO KAMADO S REPLAY

 

Nezuko Kamado S is a filly by Chapter Seven.  She is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander.  She is two for two as a sophomore.  She now has eight career first place finishes.

Knoxville (Tyler Buter) dominates the $121,800 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for pacing sophomore colts & geldings.

Knoxville ($3.62) charged to the quarter in :28.1.  He used a :28.0 second quarter and led to the half in :56.1.  He found another gear as he widened the lead going around the final turn and was first to three quarters in 1:23.1.

As they made the turn for home it became a race for second as Knoxville won in a lifetime best of 1:50.3.  Mighty Matt (Braxten Boyd) got second place money.  Hunt Off The Press (Jason Bartlett) finished third.

KNOXVILLE REPLAY

 

Knoxville is a colt by Huntsville.  He is owned by Milton Leeman, Louis Palumbo, Ted Gewertz, and trainer Ray Schnittker.  It was his third win this season.  He now has four career victories.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 13) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs