To watch a race replay of the Zweig Open, click here.
To watch a race replay of the Zweig Filly, click here.

Vernon, NY — A break in stride by Sorella quashed the chances of a showdown between the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks winners in the $160,140 Harry M. Zweig Memorial for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday (Aug. 21) at Vernon Downs. But Ramona Hill ($2.40), the 2020 Hambletonian winner, added another jewel to her crown with a 1:52 score in the Miracle Mile’s signature distaff event, while Hambletonian runner-up Ready For Moni captured the $330,000 Zweig 3-year-old open division.

Hambletonian champion Ramona Hill was an easy winner in her Zweig Stakes at Vernon Downs. Fotowon Photo.

With Sorella’s break before the start leaving only four to materially contest the race, Ramona Hill had no trouble securing the early lead from the pole, and she traveled uncontested through splits of :28, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Off the home turn, Hypnotic AM angled out of the pocket to give chase, but Ramona Hill and driver Andy McCarthy once again proved too tough, accelerating through a :27.2 final sectional to win by a measured 1-1/2 lengths. Tricky Sister rallied mildly for third.

Tony Alagna trains Ramona Hill, a winner of four consecutive races and a total of 10 in her career, for Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners.

In the Zweig for 3-year-old open trotters, Hambletonian runner-up Ready For Moni ($3.30) followed the cover of Back Of The Neck onto the backstretch and surged to the fore shortly thereafter en route to a 1:51.1 triumph.

Hambletonian runner-up Ready For Moni ($3.30) followed the cover of Back Of The Neck onto the backstretch en route to a 1:51.1 triumph. Fotowon Photo.

With regular driver Yannick Gingras slated to compete in the Toronto area for the coming weeks, Matt Kakaley gained the drive aboard the son of Ready Cash for trainer Nancy Takter. Kakaley placed Ready For Moni second-over behind Back Of The Neck with five-eighths to go, but the pair were left to face the breeze after a :56 half. Ready For Moni strode strongly to the lead before reaching the far turn and threw down a :27.1 third sectional before being driven out to widen his lead gradually in the stretch. In the end, Ready For Moni defeated Back Of The Neck by two lengths, while King Alphonso finished another 7-1/4 lengths back in third.

John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield own 7-time winner Ready For Moni, whose 1:51.1 Zweig performance was a lifetime mark.

Ambassador Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) and Ahundreddollarbill (Jason Bartlett) each nabbed New York Sires Stakes wins on the undercard.

Unbeaten Ambassador Hanover ($3.10) won the $51,300 first division

Ambassador Hanover went straight to the front but Black Tie Bash (Brian Sears) took over the top spot and led to the first quarter in :28.0.  He slowed things down using a :30.1 second quarter to hit the half in :58.1. He continued on the lead and hit three-quarters first in 1:26.1.

As they made the turn for home Ambassador Hanover popped out of the pocket and came charging at Black Tie Bash in the stretch.  The two were slugging it out it all the way down the  stretch and were joined by a late bid from Dee’s Red Delicious (Corey Callshan), who came flying three-wide in deep stretch forcing a three-way photo finish with Ambassador Hanover picking up the win in a lifetime best of 1:56. Dee’s Red Delicious finished second. Black Tie Bash had to settle for third.

Ambassador Hanover is a 2-year-old colt by Chapter Seven-Angel Eyes Hanover. He is owned by Howard Taylor, Judith Taylor, Order By Stable, and trainer Svanstedt. He is a perfect four for four life time.

Ahundreddollarbill ($2.80) took the $52,200 second division.

Incommunicado (Ake Svanstedt) charges to the front and put up the early fractions (:28, :57). Ahundreddollarbill made his move first-over from fourth going around the final turn. Incommunicado remained in front hitting three-quarters first in 1:26.2.

Ahundreddollarbill flew to the front as they made the turn for home. The colt just cruised down the stretch to win easily in a lifetime best of 1:56.0.  Special Prosecutor (Brian Sears) came up to finish second. Incommunicado held on for third.

Ahundreddollarbill is a colt by Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty. He is trained by Dan Daley for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Ann-Mari Daley, and James Crawford IV. He is now two for four in his young career.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (August 22) with a 13-race card starting at 3 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

— John Horne wrote the NYSS recap