Judge Joe and DR Ackerman captured the $151,670 first division of the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial on Friday night at Tioga Downs
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The duo got away in the pocket spot as Ray Schnittker and Citation Lindy cut through a torrid opening quarter in :26.4. The field passed the half mile mark of the race in :56.2 as Russell Hill (John Campbell) began their first over grind through the third quarter station in 1:25. Campbell got Russell Hill to the top at the top of the stretch, but Judge Joe found room late and dug in to close and win by a neck in 1:55.1. The mile established a new lifetime mark for Judge Joe.
Russell Hill (John Campbell) hung on for second, while Neighsay Hanover (Howard Parker) trotted home late for third.
It was the fifth win in five seasonal starts for the three-year-old Credit Winner-Judge Judy colt, who with the win increased his career earnings to more than $450,000. When interviewed in the winner’s circle following the victory DR Ackerman stated that the homebred son, who is owned by Doug Ackerman Stables, was headed towards the $1.7 million dollar Hambletonian at The Meadowlands.
In the $151,670 second division John Campbell and Copy Catch used a third-over journey to trot home a winner through the lane.
It was the third win in seven seasonal starts for the three-year-old Cantab Hall-Catch A Train colt, who increased his seasonal earnings to more than $112,000. Copy Catch was purchased from the 2007 Lexington Select sale for $145,000 by Lindy Racing Stable, Adam Victor & Son Stable, and Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc.
“I got away fifth and got out behind Tim’s horse [Truth In Action] because I thought he was the one to beat in there and he took me right to the top of the stretch. I was very happy the way he came back tonight after last start at The Meadowlands I thought he should have won there, but it was going for more money tonight so everything worked out great,” said John Campbell in the winner’s circle following the victory.
Knoxtrot Hall (Mike Lachance) hung on for second, while Spin Spanky Spin (Fern Paquet Jr.) never left the rail and got up for third.
In the $45,447 first division of the Zweig Filly Trot, Celebrity Athena and Marcus Johansson scored their second victory of the year. The three-year-old Yankee Glide-Show Me Leg filly is trained by Staffan Lind for Celebrity Farms of New York, New York. The win was her fifth of her career in seventeen starts, and with the victory Celebrity Athena increased her career earnings to more than $111,000. Pleasing Lady (Mike Lachance) got up for second, while early pacesetter Shes So Savvy (Howard Okusko Jr.) hung on for third. The mile of 1:56 established a new lifetime mark for Celebrity Athena.
Brandnewgirlfriend and Wally Hennessey captured the $45,447 second division for three-year-old filly trotters. Leaving from post position nine Hennessey had the Conway Hall-Tiffany Gold filly crossed over and settled on the front past the quarter pole in :28.2. The $80,000 yearling got a big breather through the second panel and reached the half mile mark of the race in :59.1. Hennessey then let Brandnewgirlfriend do her thing by trotting a back half in :56.4 to capture the Zweig in a new lifetime best of 1:56. So You De Vie (Howard Parker) got up for second, while Michelles Way (Mike Lachance) was third.
In the third and final division for three-year-old filly trotters, Celebrity Juliet and Mike Lachance gave Staffan Lind and Celebrity Farms both doubles in the Zweig Filly divisions. It was the second win on the year for Celebirty Juliet, who won an elimination of the Elegant Image Stakes from Mohawk, but finished fourth in the final after a first over grind. The win increased her career bankroll to more than $201,000. Southwind Wasabi (John Campbell) finished second, while Lindys RN (Tim Tetrick) finished third.
Tim Tetrick edged even closer to the 5,000 win plateau by posting a driving triple on the night’s 11-race card, while Wally Hennessey enjoyed a driving double.
(Tioga Downs)