More than 10 horses trained by Ron Burke will head to post for next weekend’s Breeders Crown championships at The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J. after strong performances this past weekend.

Three of Burke’s top horses were victorious in their elimination races Saturday night as My Girl EJ (3-year-old filly pace), T C I (3-year-old male trot) and 5-year-old Bythemissal (Open Pace) went to the winner’s circle. My Girl EJ and Bythemissal are defending Breeders Crown champions.

Burke conditions a fleet of 2-year-old finalists.

His crop of 2-year-olds has been a force the entire 2024 season.

That group of finalists includes Looksgoodinloulou, Rose and Rodeodrivedeo (2-year-old Filly Pace); Swingtown, Sippinonsearoc, Blueprint and Railroad Station (2-year-old Colt Pace); Hidalgo and Tactical Dynasty (2-year-old Colt Trot).

One other finalist is M Ms Dream (Open Mare Trot).

One other local horse – in the 3-year-old Colt Pace – with local connections is Timeisonmyside, who is trained by The Meadows’ Tim Twaddle.

The 2-year-old finals will be held Friday night and the 3-year-old and open finals will be contested Saturday.

Kim French, adjunct professor for the University of Louisville College of Business Equine and a veteran national horse racing writer, said Burke’s 2-year-old crop has been impressive all year.

“Oh my God, they’ve been great from my perspective,” French said. “I don’t know if (nine 2-year-olds in the finals) is a record but it is close.

“I got to see them in Lexington (Ky.) at the Red Mile and was eager to see how they would transition to the Northeast and The Meadowlands.”

Bythemissal, owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Fredericktown, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi, was impressive winning for the second time in just six races this season.

The 5-year-old gelding, who overcame injury earlier this year, won in 1:48.4 to capture the $25,000 elimination purse.

Driver Yannick Gingras told Harnesslink.com (Bythemissal) “The horse is super sharp. I kicked out the earplugs just to be safe.”

Said French: “I’m super impressed with Bythemissal. His last three miles have been wicked. But the horse is built for wicked miles. “Ronnie has him ready and it’s great to see him back. It’s nice to see him winning again.”

Charlie May, owned by Canonsburg’s Don Tiger, did not qualify for the final.

T C I, won by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:51.1. Secret Agent Man trailed him finishing second with Security Protected (Scott Zeron) third. Sig Sauer raced off cover and held his ground in the stretch for fourth, ahead of Amazing Catch, the last qualifier, for the final from the first elimination.

My Girl EJ won her 13th race in 28 starts (46.4 percent). Bred by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Elizabeth Novak – co-owned with Ron Burke – she has earned $1,144,060.