Empire Breeders' Classic eliminations headline Tioga's Sunday card

Tioga Downs will host some of the best sophomore pacers the country will likely see in 2011 on Sunday afternoon in Nichols, New York.

Headlining the names for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers are freshman standouts Feel Like A Fool, Fashion Delight, Roadside Delight, and Sir Ziggy's Z Tam, all of which drew in the first of two divisions.

Feel Like A Fool prepared for the eliminations last weekend at Tioga Downs by winning the lone division of the John F. Simpson stakes by more than 10 lengths over a sloppy track in 1:54.

Although Feel Like A Fool will have his work cut out for him this weekend as Fashion Delight (David Miller) who banked more than $510,000 in 2010 finished his prep last week at the Meadowlands winning a qualifier in 1:52.3 with a final panel of 28 for trainer Jim Campbell.Roadside Delight got his first start of 2011 under his belt last Sunday at Chester and finished second to Valentino pacing his mile in 1:50.3 for trainer Richard Norman.

Also joining some of the freshman standouts in the first division is a newcomer to the spotlight, American Arena (Simon Allard) for trainer Noel Daley.

A perfect three for three this year, American Arena won last week at the Meadowlands from the nine hole in 1:52.1.

However, the post position draw was once again not on his side as he has drawn post nine for Sunday's elimination.

Leading the way for the ladies is last year's Dan Patch Award Winner, See You At Peelers.Undefeated in her career, See You At Peelers was a perfect 13 for 13 in 2010 and took home the NYSS Final and Breeders' Crown while banking more than $580,000 for trainer Jimmy Takter.

Takter has entrusted the newly assigned driving duties to his son in law, Marcus Johansson, after he qualified the filly twice at The Meadowlands.

In her most recent qualifier, See You At Peelers was a wire to wire winner in 1:52.2, she has drawn post position number three in the first of two divisions for 3-year old filly pacers.

Below are the fields for Sunday's EBC Eliminations (Before driver changes):

Race 8:
$12,500 Empire Breeders' Classic Elimination:
3-year old colt & gelding pacers
PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 Roadside Delight George Brennan R. Nifty Norman

2 Major Way Jason Bartlett Linda Toscano

3 Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam Pat Lachance Pat Lachance

4 Feel Like A Fool Brian Sears George Teague Jr.

5 Nukes Art Mark Lancaster Timothy Lancaster

6 Bombay Away Sam Caruso Jr. Bruce Saunders

7 Townslight Hanover Andrew McCarthy Aaron Lambert

8 Fashion Delight David Miller Jim Campbell

9 American Arena Simon Allard Noel Daley

Race 12:
$12,500 Empire Breeders' Classic Elimination:
3-year-old colt & gelding pacers

PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 Mosee Terror Jason Bartlett Josh Green

2 Upfront Missys Boy Jeff Gregory Perry Simser

3 Samandar Brian Sears Larry Rathbone

4 Flipper J Jason Bartlett Linda Toscano

5 Fantaddy Scott Zeron Tony Osullivan

6 Bettor’s Green Greg Grismore Benjamin Wallace

7 Mat’s Delight Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker

8 Lucky Cadet Andy Miller Erv Miller

9 Sir Jonathan Z Tam Pat Lachance Pat Lachance

Race 6:
$12,500 Empire Breeders' Classic Elimination:
3-year-old filly pacers

PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 Miss Annie J Jason Bartlett Linda Toscano

2 Swinging Beauty Scott Zeron Gregg McNair

3 See You At Peelers Marcus Johansson Jimmy Takter

4 Character Flaw Matt Kakaley Joseph Caraluzzi

5 Sight To See Brian Sears Chris Ryder

6 JK Geronimo Jim Marohn Jr. Paul Bernardo

7 Whats New Pussy Cat Dave Palone Nicholas Surick

8 Winbak Corazon Phil Fluet Phil Fluet

Race 10:
$12,500 Empire Breeders' Classic Elimination:
3-year-old filly pacers

PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 My Girl's A Star Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker

2 Dreamlands Roxy Jeff Gregory Joe Holloway

3 New Album George Brennan Mark Kesmodel

4 Song In A Major TBA Gary Messenger

5 Southwind Jazmin Andy Miller Mark Harder

6 Asteria Blue Chip Jason Bartlett Linda Toscano

7 Shyaway Brian Sears Chris Ryder

8 Some Girls Do Brian Sears Ron Burke

Post time for Sunday's 13-race card is set for 1:30 pm and will once again feature Tioga's $10,000 guaranteed Pick Six on the final six races of the day.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.