Temporal Hanover captures $310,000 Zweig Memorial

Vernon downs played host for the annual Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial harness racing event on Saturday afternoon (July 9).

Temporal Hanover (Walner) and driver Brian Sears charged late to capture the $310,000 Zweig Memorial 3-year-old Open Trot.

Temporal Hanover ($4.70) got the first call but Fast As The Wind (Dexter Dunn) charges up from his outside position to be first to the quarter in :26.2.

Branded By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was one of three horses who broke at the start of the race which changed the complexion instantly.  Fast As The Wind used a :29.1 second quarter and cruised to the half first in :55.3.  Pretender (Andrew McCarthy) was first to make a mover going first-up and was side by side as Fast As The Wind led to three-quarters in 1:24.2.

As they made the turn for home Fast As The Wind and Pretender were joined by Temporal Hanover making it three across the track.  Temporal Hanover blew right on by in deep stretch to win and equaled his lifetime mark of 1:52.2.  Periculum (Mattias Melander) came charging late to finish second.  Giving trainer Marcus Melander a one-two finish in the big race.  Pretender held on for third.

TEMPORAL HANOVER REPLAY

Temporal Hanover is a 3-year-old colt trained by Marcus Melander for owners AMG Stable Inc., Ken Kjellgren, Rich Wahlstedt, and the Heights Stable.  It was his third win in four starts this season.  He now owns eight career victories.

Jiggy Jog S (Walner) and driver Dexter Dunn snuck through late to win the $123,000 Zweig Memorial 3-year-old Fillies Trot.

Yanaba (Brian Sears) wrestled the lead away from Baptism (Ake Svanstedt) and led to the first quarter in :26.4.  Yanaba slowed things down with a :29.3 second quarter and led to the half in :56.2.  Baptism was flushed out of the pocket by Cash Infusion as they made their way around the final turn.  Yanaba had a slight lead at three-quarters in 1:25.3.

Baptism took a short lead as they reached the stretch.  Jiggy Jog S needing racing room badly found a small opening on the inside as Delilah Hanover (Todd McCarthy) made a late bid four wide.  Jiggy Jog S found a burst of speed and blew on by to win in 1:53.3.  Delilah Hanover managed to pick up second money as Baptism held on to finish third.

JIGGY JOG S REPLAY

Jiggy Jog S notched her third win this season.  She now owns five career victories for trainer Ake Svanstedt and the Jorgen Sparredal, Inc. of Florida.

Venerable (Walner, David Miller), who is trained by R. Nifty Norman wins the $25,620 Zweig Memorial consolation race for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Testing Testing (Walner, Miller) hung on to win the $53,410 Zweig Memorial consolation for 3-year-old trotters getting in done for trainer George Ducharme with the fastest time of the day in 1:52.0.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 15) at 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs