$300,000 Zweig Memorial Open Trot headlines huge card at Vernon Downs

Vernon Downs will play host to a jammed packed full stakes card featuring the Dr. Harry M Zweig Memorial Open Trot and Fillies Trot for 3-year-olds.  There will be over $837,000 in prize money on Sunday over 14 races.

Trainer Marcus Melander will send three horses to the starting gate in the $300,000 Dr Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot.  American Power (James MacDonald) a 3-year-old colt by Walner has three wins in five starts this season including a second in the Stanley Dancer last weekend.  Nix Nacken (Dexter Dunn) has a win, a second, and two thirds this season.  The 3-year-old gelding by Muscle Hill has won over $230,000 in his career.  His third horse is Neighver Punt (Scott Zeron), a 3-year-old colt by Bar Hopping.  He has two wins this season and three career victories.

Trainer Ake Svanstedt is sending Dexter Cup winner Magic Punk (Yannick Gingras) to the party.  He has three wins and a second this season in just four starts and is expected to be a strong contender.  MGM Yonkers Trot runner-up Kingmen (Jason Bartlett) gives trainer Per Engbolm a real chance.  The 3-year-old colt by Walner has won over $200,000 in his career.  Diabolic Hill (Todd McCarthy) is winless as a sophomore but the 3-year-old colt by Muscle Hill has accumulated over $570,000 in his career.  He is trained by Anne Stoebe.

Captain Jordan (Captain Corey), Practical Man (Tactical Landing), and Highball Hanover (Bar Hopping) round out the nine race field.

In the $139,000 Zweig Fillies Trot features a pair of fillies from trainer Ake Svanstedt.  He sends seven-time winner Busy Miss Lissy S (Svanstedt) and five-time winner All Time Trot S (Yannick Gingras).  Marcus Melander trained Setyoursightshigh (Dexter Dunn) and Ygritte (Mattias Melander).  Setyoursightshigh (In Range) has won eight times in her career and has won over $729,000 in prize money so far.  Ygritte (Gimpanzee) has won five of six starts this season.  Trainer Nancy Takter sends two fillies to the race as well.  Madam Chevel (Tim Titrick) is a filly by Walner.  She has three wins in five starts this season.  Leading Lady (Matt Kakaley) by Walner is a four-time winner.

R Perfect Goo (Googoo Gaagaa), Royal Patti (Walner), and Cash Out Express (International Moni) round out the nine horse field.

New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old colts & geldings as well as 2-year-old fillies will each have two divisions racing.  There will also be eight NYSS Excelsior race for 2-year-old of both sexes on the card.

The 14-race card starts at 6:05 p.m.

For more information got to www.vernondowns.com

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs