American Power sets track record in $300,000 Zweig Memorial

In a night with 14 all stakes’ races culminating with the $300,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot for 3-year-olds, American Power (Walner) became the fastest trotter ever at Vernon Downs in 1:50.0 on Sunday night (July 19).

Nix Nacken (Dexter Dunn) went from the 8-hole and worked to a first quarter lead in :26.3.  He used a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.3.  American Power ($7.18) exploded first-up as they headed around the final turn.  He got to three quarters first in 1:23.1.

As they entered the stretch third place finisher Nix Nacken and American Power continued to battle.  American Power broke free but had to brace for a late charge from second place finisher Diabolic Hill (Todd McCarthy).  American Power soared to the track record in 1:50.0.  Beating the track record of 1:50.3 first set by Atlanta.

AMERICAN POWER REPLAY

American Power is a 3-year-old colt by Walner.  He is owned by M Biasuzzi Stable Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander.  It was his fourth win of the season (setting a new lifetime mark) and his seventh career victory.

Setyoursightshigh  (Dexter Dunn) hangs on to capture the $139,000 Zweig Memorial Fillies Trot.

Leading Lady (Matt Kakaley) led the pack to the first quarter in :26.4.  Soon after that Setyoursightshigh ($10.62) took over control and led to the half in :55.4.  Madam Cheval (Tim Tetrick) made the first move going first-over around the final turn.  Setyoursightshigh was first to three quarters in 1:24.3.

Third place finisher Madam Cheval went outside, and second place finisher Leading Lady went inside.  Leading lady kept coming but Setyoursightshigh dug In and won a thriller in a lifetime best of 1:51.4.

Setyoursightshigh is a 3-year-old filly by In Range.  She is trained by Marcus Melander (Sweeping both Zweig races) this time for owners Heights Stable, Mantorp LLC, AMG Stable, and K Kjellgren Livs AB Inc.  It was her second win of the season and her ninth career victory.

SETYOURSIGHTSHIGH REPLAY

Vernon also played host to four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshmen pacers.

Trainer Noel Daley and driver Todd McCarthy swept both divisions for 2-year-old colts & geldings.  First winning with Man On A Hunt ($37.68) in the $59,100 first division and winning with Beatle Blue Chip ($15.36) in the $60,200 second division.

Man On A Hunt is a 2-year-old gelding by Huntsville-Colorful Virgin.  He is owned by Patricia Stables, Allister Stables, Noel Daley, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing.  It was his first career win stopping the clock in 1:53.1.

MAN ON A HUNT REPLAY

Beatle Blue Chip is a 2-year-old colt by Huntsville-Twinkle In Hereye.  He is owned by Patricia Stables, L A Express Stable, FAC Racing, Sjoblom Racing & M Dolan.  His first career win came in 1:53.0

BEATLE BLUE CHIP REPLAY

Cowboy Candy (Jason Bartlett) takes the $60,200 first division for fillies.  She is a 2-year-old filly by So Surreal-Caviart Elena.  She is owned by Chain Lightning Stables LLC and trained by Aaron Lambert.  Getting her third career win with a lifetime best 1:54.3 paying $3.14 for the win.

COWBOY CANDY REPLAY

Fendilicious (Bartlett) wins the $60,200 second division for fillies.  She is a 2-year-old filly by Huntsville- Brooklyn Lilacs.  She is owned by Michael Rosenthal, Kareo Stable, and Donald MacRae while trained by Deborah Daguet.  She paid $15.60 for the win.  She set a new lifetime mark with her second career win in a sizzling 1:51.2.

FENDILICIOUS REPLAY

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (July23) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

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

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs