Vernon downs played host for the annual Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial races on Saturday afternoon (July 9).
Temporal Hanover (Brian Sears) charged late to capture the $310,000 Zweig Memorial Three-Year-Old Open Trot.
Branded By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was one of three horses who broke at the start of the race which changed the complexion instantly. Temporal Hanover ($4.70) got the first call but Fast As The Wind (Dexter Dunn) advanced from his outside position to be first to the quarter in :26.2. Fast As The Wind used a :29.1 second quarter and cruised to the half first in :55.3. Pretender (Andrew McCarthy) took the first-over plunge and was side-by-side with Fast As The Wind through a 1:24.2 third station.
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 is a three-year-old colt by Walner. He is 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 and he now owns eight career victories.
Jiggy Jog S (Dexter Dunn) snuck through late to win the $123,000 Zweig Memorial for sophomore fillies.
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. Needing racing room badly, Jiggy Jog S found a small opening on the inside as Delilah Hanover (Todd McCarthy) made a late bid in the middle of the track. 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 is a three-year-old filly by Walner. The Zweig tally was her third win this season and fifth lifetime.
Driver David Miller swept the Zweig consolations, winning the $25,620 filly consolation with Venerable and the $53,410 colt division with Testing Testing in 1:52 — the fastest time of the day.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 15) at 6:05 p.m.
(Vernon)