American Power broke the all-age Vernon Downs trotting record with a 1:50 triumph in the $422,535 Grade 2 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot for three-year-olds, the culmination of an all-stakes card on Sunday, July 19.

James MacDonald landed the colt in third as Nix Nacken (Dexter Dunn) powered out from the eight-hole to an early lead, pocketing favourite Diabolic Hill (Todd McCarthy). Nix Nacken brought the nine-horse field through early fractions of :26.3 and :55.3 but was in deep waters at three-quarters in 1:23.1 as American Power muscled up first-over. MacDonald had little to do but let American Power roll as the son of Walner-Ariana G struck the front on the last turn and sprinted the final quarter in :26.4 to complete a career-best victory. Diabolic Hill chipped away down the lane but was left a length in arrears, finishing second. Nix Nacken was third, 4-3/4 lengths ahead of his nearest rival.

The winning time of 1:50 took three ticks off the previous overall Vernon record set by Atlanta as a sophomore in 2018. It also reduced the divisional standard for a three-year-old colt trotter of 1:51.2, which was jointly held by Six Pack and The Veteran.

The Hambletonian-eligible American Power came off a place finish to Apex in the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 11 to take his fourth win of the year in six starts on Sunday. The Marcus Melander trainee, owned by M Biasuzzi Stable Inc., is seven-for-18 lifetime. He paid $7.18 to win.

Setyoursightshigh resisted the upset-minded Leading Lady in the $195,775 Zweig Memorial Trot for sophomore fillies for a second straight win.

Leading Lady (Matt Kakaley) soared away from post nine to lead into the first turn ahead of Setyoursightshigh, but Dexter Dunn quickly had the filly out to take over past the quarter in :26.4. Setyoursightshigh led to the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.3 before pressure came from favourite Madam Cheval (Tim Tetrick), who advanced through the final turn. Setyoursightshigh dispatched that rival at the top of the lane but had to ready for a new challenge as Leading Lady rallied at the pylons. Leading Lady kept coming into deep-stretch, but Setyoursightshigh hung on by a neck in a lifetime best of 1:51.4. Madam Cheval finished third.

Setyoursightshigh completed a sweep of the Zweig events for Melander and earned her second win of the year in five starts. The In Range-Special Interest filly won her Ohio Sires Stakes championship last year and finished second in the Breeders Crown on the way to a divisional Dan Patch Award-winning campaign. The Hambletonian Oaks eligible is now nine-for-16 lifetime for owners Heights Stable, Mantorp LLC, AMG Stable Inc. and K Kjellgren Livs AB Inc. The win price was $10.62.

Vernon also played host to four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for freshman pacers.

Trainer Noel Daley and driver Todd McCarthy swept both divisions for colts geldings. They won with Man On A Hunt ($37.68) in the $83,239 first division and Beatle Blue Chip ($15.36) in the $84,789 second split.

Man On A Hunt, a two-year-old gelding by Huntsville-Colorful Virgin, is owned by Patricia Stables LLC, Allister Stables LLC, Daley and Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing. He stopped the clock in 1:53.1 for a maiden-breaking victory.

Beatle Blue Chip reached the winner's circle after a pair of place finishes, scoring in 1:53 on Sunday. The Huntsville-Twinkle In Hereye colt is owned by Patricia Stables LLC, L. A. Express Stable Inc., FAC Racing LLC and Sjoblom Racing & M Dolan.

Jason Bartlett drove both filly division winners, starting with Cowboy Candy ($3.14) in the $84,789 first distaff split. The Aaron Lambert-trained daughter of So Surreal-Caviart Elena won in 1:54.3 for owner Chain Lightning Stables LLC.

Fendilicious ($15.60) won the $83,239 second division for fillies. The daughter of Huntsville-Brooklyn Lilacs is owned by Michael Rosenthal, Kareo Stable Inc. and Donald MacRae. The Deborah Daguet pupil took a new mark of 1:51.2 in the victory.

Eight $28,169 New York Excelsior Series divisions for rookie pacers filled out the rest of the 14-race program. The four filly divisions went to Shadow Of A Girl ($4.86), Clear Choice ($3.12), Spider Claire ($2.46) and Prop Bet ($11.70). The colt winners were Blast Blue Chip ($2.58), Takes Courage ($5.46), Beach Bum Bluechip ($7.60) and Bills Mafia ($16.58).

Vernon Downs will host its next card on Thursday, July 23 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(Standardbred Canada & Vernon Downs)