Ari Ferrari J captured the $350,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot for three-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 8) at Vernon Downs.
Cecil Hanover took the early lead, but Ari Ferrari J stepped up and got to the quarter first in :26.4. He used a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half on :56.1. The colt started to open up and was first to three-quarters in 1:24.1. As they made the turn for home, Chapercraz made his move first-up and started to get closer, but Ari Ferrari J had plenty in the tank and won in a lifetime best of 1:51. Chapercraz had to settle for second. Cecil Hanover hung on for third.
Ari Ferrari J is a three-year-old by Walner. He is owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Tony Alagna. The win was his third this season and his fourth victory in his career. Dexter Dunn drove the colt, who paid $5.10 to win.
Sadie Hanover held on to win by a nose in the $142,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fillies Trot for sophomore fillies.
Sadie Hanover took the early lead but Walner Payton got by just before hitting the quarter first :27. She served up a :29.3 second quarter to lead to the half in :56.3. Royal Filly was first to make a move going first-up around the final turn, but Walner Payton maintained the lead to three-quarters in 1:25.2. As they reached the stretch, Royal Filly got closer to Walner Payton as Sadie Hanover slipped through on the inside and Gigi Hanover made it four across the track. Sadie Hanover got to the front and held off the late surge from second-place finisher Gigi Hanover to win in 1:53.1. Walner Payton held on to take third.
Sadie Hanover is a three-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven. She is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Bays Stable, Blue Ridge Stable, Carmen Iannacone and Gary Coco. She won for the sixth time this season and owns seven victories in her career. Scott Zeron steered the filly, who returned $3 to win.
The “Miracle Mile” also hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Turn On The Charm took the $60,300 first division. Rock My Socks held the early lead but Turn On The Charm led to the quarter in :27.1 and :56.1 to the midway mark. Vivians Dream went first-over and put on the pressure as they went around the final turn, with Turn On The Charm still on top through a 1:24.3 third station. Vivians Dream and Turn On The Charm continued to battle 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 three-year-old filly by Huntsville. She is trained by Bruce Clarke for owners Megan Beauchamp and John Coffey. The win was her fifth this season and her eighth victory of her career. Marcus Miller drove the $4.40 winner.
Twin B Joe Fresh conquered her rivals the $61,400 second division. Ideal Alexa was first to the quarter in :26.2 before True Blue Hanover then took over and hit the half in :55.2. Twin B Joe Fresh made her 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 B Joe Fresh was just too much and won easily in 1:50.3. True Blue Hanover had to settle for second money. Silky Stride finished third.
Twin B Joe Fresh is a three-year-old filly by Roll With Joe. She is owned by driver Dexter Dunn along with trainer Chris Ryder, Peter Trebotica, and Barry Spak. The win was her second this season and her 10th career victory. She paid $2.10 to win.
Dunn drove four winners on the card. His other wins were with Major Leaguer and Freshstarflight.
Vernon Downs will not be racing on Thursday, July 13, but will host live harness racing on Friday, July 14 starting at 4 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Vernon Downs)