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The harness racing betting public knew who was much the best in the $350,000 Dr. Harry M Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotting colts held Saturday, July 8 at Vernon Downs. They made Ari Ferrari J (Walner) the 3/2 wagering favorite and he lived up to the reputation.
The 8th race feature got underway with Cecil Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) going to the early lead and also leaving from the outside post seven was Ari Ferrari J and driver Dexter Dunn and they took command at the first quarter in :26.4.
Ari Ferrari J led past the half mile in :56.1 and the three-quarters in 1:24 with no one able to make a challenging move.
As they came down the stretch, Chapercraz (Joe Bongiorno) tried closing but Ari Ferrari J was too strong, holding on to a one and three-quarter length triumph in 1:51. Chapercraz was second with Cecil Hanover third.
ARI FERRARI J REPLAY
It was a lifetime mark for Ari Ferrari J, just two fifths of a second off of the track record. He notched his third win this season for trainer Tony Alagna and owner Ken Jacobs, paying $5.10 to win. Ari Ferrari J is not nominated for the upcoming Hambletonian Trot.
For driver Dexter Dunn, the victory capped a four-win afternoon for him at Vernon Downs.
In the $142,000 Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotting fillies it took the photo finish camera to declare the winner by a nose as race favorite Sadie Hanover (Chapter Seven) just held off Gigi Hanover in the final strides to the wire.
The 6th race co-feature began with Sadie Hanover and driver Scott Zeron going to the early lead and then giving way at the opening quarter in :27 to Walner Payton (Dexter Dunn).
They raced single file past the half mile in :56.3 and then at the three-quarters in 1:25.2, Royal Filly (Tyler Buter) came first-over with Gigi Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) grabbing the second-over cover.
As they started down the stretch, Walner Payton bore out just enough for Sadie Hanover to come along the pylons and then barely hold off Gigi Hanover at the wire for a nose triumph in 1:53.1. Walner Payton was third.
SADIE HANOVER REPLAY
Having a superb three-year-old season, Sadie Hanover posted her sixth win in just seven starts for Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano. She is co-owned by Bay’s Stable and the Blue Ridge Stable. She paid $3.00 to win.
The “Miracle Mile” also hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Turn On The Charm (Huntsville) and driver Marcus Miller won the $60,300 first division.
Rock My Socks (Jason Bartlett) held the early lead but Turn On The Charm ($4.40) led to the quarter in :27.1. She used a :29.0 second quarter and was first to the half in :56.1. Vivians Dream (Brian Sears) came first-over and put on the pressure as they went around the final turn. Turn On The Charm was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Vivians Dream and Turn On The Charm continued to slug it out as the went down the stretch. Turn On The Charm found another gear and won going away in 1:52.1. Rock My Socks came up to finish second as Vivians Dream had to settle for third.
Turn On The Charm is a 3-year-old filly trained by Bruce Clarke for owners Megan Beauchamp and John Coffey. It was her fifth win this season and her eighth career victory.
TURN ON THE CHARM REPLAY
Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe) and driver Dexter Dunn conquered the $61,400 second division.
Ideal Alexa (Mark MacDonald) was first to the quarter in :26.2. True Blue Hanover (Jason Bartlett) then took over and led to the half in :55.2 Twin Joe B Fresh ($2.10) made his move going around the final turn and had a slight lead to three-quarters in 1:24.2.
The two fillies continued to battle as they reached the stretch. Twin Joe B Fresh was just too much and won easily in 1:50.3. True Blue Hanover had to settle for second money. Silky Stride (Scott Zeron) finished third.
Twin B Joe Fresh is a 3-year-old filly owned by Dunn along with trainer Chris Ryder, Peter Trebotica, and Barry Spak. It was her second win this season and her 10th career victory.
TWIN B JOE FRESH REPLAY
Dexter Dunn drove four winners on the card. His other wins came with Major Leaguer and Freshstarflight.
Vernon Downs will not be racing on Thursday (July 13) but return to live racing on Friday (July 14) starting at 4 p.m.
For complete race results, click here.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink
