The 2020 version of the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial, a Grand Circuit stakes event for three-year-old trotting fillies and colts, has drawn a single division of each (Race 10 and 11) to be raced on Friday, August 21 at Vernon Downs.
In what is clearly a case of quality making up for what the 2020 Zweig does not possess in quantity, the cream of this year's sophomore square-gaited crop are among the entrants.
The connections of the 2020 Hambletonian's 'top three finishers' have been declared to the Zweig.
The $160,140 filly division will feature the extremely rare match-up of the Hambletonian winning Ramona Hill versus Oaks winner Sorella. Both were nothing short of spectacular in their respective victories.
In the Hambletonian, Ramona Hill (Post 1, driver Andy McCarthy, trainer Tony Alagna) equalled her sire Muscle Hill's stakes record of 1:50.1 in her tour de force over male rivals.
Sorella (PP3), to be driven for the first time on Friday by Dexter Dunn for trainer Nancy Takter, was a handy 1:51 winner in the ladies only division of the stakes (the Hambletonian Oaks).
Just for good measure, the 'Queen' of the New York Sire Stakes program and 'place finisher' to Sorella in the Oaks, Hypnotic AM, is in the field, as well. Fortune Starlet and Tricky Sister round out the quintet of trotting debutantes.
Ramona Hill races for the partnership of Brad Grant, local owners Crawford Farms Racing, Robert Leblanc and John Fodera and Steve Wienick as In The Gym Partners. Crawford Farms is also a partner in Sorella, sharing ownership with her breeder Elmer Fannin and his son Brent.
The $330,000 Zweig open main event counts the 'Hambo' place and show finishers, a pair of colts by Ready Cash, among the nine entrants.
Trainer Nancy Takter will send out the talented Ready For Moni (PP4, Matt Kakaley) who was a good Hambo second while Back Of The Neck (PP1, Scott Zeron), one of four entered by trainer Ake Svanstedt, was a solid third.
John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield own Ready For Moni, while Howard and Judith Taylor share ownership on Back Of The Neck with Stefan Balazsi's Order By Stable.
Also on the card is a potential preview of the 2021 Zweig in the form of a pair of $51,300 New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and the usual accompaniment of Excelsior divisions.
Owners interested in details regarding attending the races may reach Racing Operations Manager Brett Risi at [email protected].
Post time will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday at Vernon Downs.
(With files from Vernon Downs)