Maiden upsets field in $325,000 Zweig Memorial

Long shot Spy Booth became the first maiden ever to win the Dr. Harry M Zweig Memorial Trot for three-year-olds. Winless in six career starts, Spy Booth did have the credentials coming into the race, having finished second in the $1 million Hambletonian Trot back on August 7.

It was the first time that driver Dexter Dunn had ever driven Spy Booth before.

The ninth race $325,000 feature saw the even money race favorite, Dancinginthedark M (Tim Tetrick) go off-stride at the start of the race. It was Ambassador Hanover and trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt going to the early lead with Take All Comers (David Miller) sitting the pocket seat to the first quarter in :27.

Then by the half mile in :56.3, Balenciaga and driver Scott Zeron came first-over to challenge and they were able to collar Ambassador Hanover and then take over the lead at the three-quarters in 1:24.1. Meanwhile, Spy Booth was just getting underway on the outside from fourth place and gaining ground.

As they raced down the stretch, Dunn was able to get Spy Booth into gear and they caught Balenciaga and went on to win by a half a length in 1:52.3 over Take All Comers. Take All Comers was second placed fifth for interference with Balenciaga placed second and Zenith Stride (Andrew McCarthy) placed third.

Trained by Nancy Takter, it was a lifetime mark for Spy Booth, a gelded son of Muscle Hill. He is owned by John Fielding and David Anderson of Ontario. Spy Booth went off at odds of 9-1 and paid $21.60 to win.

SPY BOOTH REPLAY

“I saw him race in the Hambletonian and he did really well,” said winning driver Dexter Dunn. “Yes, this was the first time I have ever driven him. I was trying to get my guy going to the outside in the backstretch and he finally kicked into gear in the stretch.”

In the eighth race $140,000 Zweig Memorial Trot for three-year-old fillies, it was the two 6/5 co-favorites, Darlene Hanover and Iteration who provided all the action.

Iteration and driver Brian Sears left from post five, was parked early by Contested Hanover (Tim Tetrick) and then cleared to the front at the opening quarter mile in :27.1. They raced that way to the half in :57.4. It was then that driver Todd McCarthy started up first-over with Darlene Hanover from fourth place in the backstretch.

Collaring Iteration by the three-quarters in 1:26.4, Darlene Hanover was able to take the lead away starting down the stretch and held off Iteration by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.4. Contested Hanover was third.

It was the second straight win and third on the season for Darlene Hanover. The daughter of Chapter Seven is trained by Brett Bittle for the Yankeeland Partners of Frederick, MD. She paid $4.40 to win.

DARLENE HANOVER REPLAY

“Brett had her spot on tonight,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “I just had to steer her the right way. She felt terrific and raced like it tonight. This was my first time ever at Vernon and it has been a great first visit, what a wonderful facility.”

For full race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink