Algiers Hall wins Zweig division in track record time
August 12, 2006,by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, Harness Horse Breeders of New York
Nichols, NY — Algiers Hall won his division of the 32nd Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday night (August 12) and demolished the track record in the process. The New York-bred three-year-old trotting colt shaved a full second and two-fifths off the record to score in 1:55.2 in his $120,000 division.
Algiers Hall set a new 1:55.2 track record in winning the first division of the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot.
Trainer-driver John Stark, Jr. steered the horse quickly off the starting gate to take the early lead. He cut the rest of the mile and held off stretch charges by Tasty Max and Bacardi Lindy.
“He hasn’t been on the front end in so long, so if someone came after me, I would have let them go,” explained Stark. “This track is a lot like my farm track (in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) so I knew he would like it tonight and do well out front.”
Algiers Hall finished fifth in the $1.5 million Hambletonian last Saturday and according to the trainer, rebounded well. “I thought he might not be as fresh, but right after the race he was feeling good and he was great all week.”
Algiers Hall is owned by Stark with E. Carlyle and David Smith of Syracuse and Tom McTygue of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. This was the first Zweig entry for both Stark and McTygue, but the Smiths have owned several Zweig Champions including last year’s Muscle Memory.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever entered the Zweig Trot and it feels pretty good to win,” concluded the trainer.
Favored Global Glide won the other $120,000 Zweig Trot division in 1:58.2 with Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce on board. Although the colt now has $221,350 in earnings this season, it was his first win of the year.
Tioga Downs Photos
Global Glide, coming off a fourth place finish in the Hambletonian, took the lead at the three-eighths and led the rest of the way as many of his peers broke stride and took themselves out of contention.
“It was like a training mile for him,” said Pierce of his colt’s effort. “He’s been knocking on the door all season, but we’ve been bringing him along slowly. But he’s due to make a lot of money this year, this is a good horse.”
Trainer Jimmy Takter said the colt will head to Canada next for the Simcoe and Canadian Trotting Classic.
Global Glide is owned by Christina Takter of East Windsor, N.J., and John Fielding of Ontario.
In the $56,600 Filly division, overwhelming 1-4 favorite Buck I St Pat broke at the start of the race and Four Starz Lindy took advantage of the misstep to charge to the lead at the three-quarters and motor all the way home in 1:57.2 with trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer.
“Actually, I didn’t see (Buck I St Pat) break, but I knew something was wrong when she didn’t come after me,” offered Smedshammer.
The trainer had to start from the outside post nine, but eased his filly into place easily and held off a late charge by eventual second place finisher Workout Doll.
Four Starz Lindy is owned by Four Starzzzz Stable of Glenwood, N.J., and paid $67.50 to win.
Hall of Fame drivers Ron Pierce, John Campbell and Mike Lachance, along with David Miller and Dave Palone, flew into Binghamton just in time to make the Zweig Memorial Trot events at Tioga Downs following an afternoon of racing on the Adios card at The Meadows racetrack in western Pennsylvania.
Dr. Zweig’s wife, Anna, and three of his children were at Tioga Downs to make the winner’s circle presentations for the three Zweig Memorial Trot events.
The Zweig Memorial Trot is named after Dr. Harry M. Zweig, a veterinarian from Nassau, N.Y. He was instrumental in the passage of legislation which created the New York Sires Stakes program, which encourages the breeding and raising of harness horses in the state and therefore contributes significantly to the agricultural economy in the state.
The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot is owned by Harness Horse Breeders of New York State and was sponsored and hosted by Tioga Downs for the first time in 2006.