Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs will play host to a jam-packed full stakes card featuring the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial, for 3-year-old trotters, and its filly companion race on Sunday (July 19). There will be over $837,000 in purse money at stake on the 14-race card.
Trainer Marcus Melander will send three horses to the starting gate in the $300,000 Zweig Open Trot. American Power (James MacDonald), a colt by Walner, has three wins in five starts this season and finished second in the Stanley Dancer Memorial last weekend. Nix Nacken (Dexter Dunn) has a win, a second, and two thirds this season. The Muscle Hill gelding has won over $230,000 in his career. His third horse is Neighver Punt (Scott Zeron), a Bar Hopping with two wins this season and three career victories.
Trainer Åke 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 Engblom a real chance. The Walner colt has won over $200,000 in his career. Diabolic Hill (Todd McCarthy) is winless as a sophomore, but the son of 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-horse field.
The $139,000 Zweig Filly Trot features a pair of fillies from trainer Svanstedt. He sends seven-time winner Busy Miss Lissy S (Svanstedt) and five-time winner All Time Trot S (Yannick Gingras). Marcus Melander also sends a pair of starters: 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 Tetrick), a filly by Walner with three wins in five starts this season, and Leading Lady (Matt Kakaley), another filly by Walner who 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 for 2-year-old pacers of each sex will have two divisions racing. There will also be eight New York Excelsior races for 2-year-old pacers.
The 14-race card starts at 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.