by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Met’s Hall (Andy Miller) won an exciting $350,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot for 3-year-olds at Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 17).

Met’s Hall won by a nose in a personal best time of 1:52.

Met’s Hall ($27.60) went straight to the lead from the eight hole. He took the first quarter in :26.4. Six Pack (Ake Svanstedt) followed in the pocket with Manchego (Yannick Gingras) following along in third.

Andy Miller slowed the second quarter to a crawl of :30.1 as Met’s Hall hit the half in :57. Six Pack would pull the pocket just before the half. The two would then battle nose to nose and wheel to wheel all around the final turn. Neither horse would give an inch as they hit three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Manchego, who was the only filly in the race, sat in third watching the other two battle it out around the turn. She then went three-wide at the top of the stretch. In an amazing stretch drive, Met’s Hall would dig in and get ready for the late charge from Manchego. In the end Met’s Hall would win by a nose in a personal best time of 1:52. Magnificent as she was, Manchego had to settle for second best. The gutsy Six Pack would finish third.

Met’s Hall is a 3-year-old colt by Cantab Hall. Trained by Julie Miller for owners Stroy Inc. and Andy Miller Stable Inc., it was his second win in six starts this season. He now owns seven career victories.

Fotowon photos

Super Girl Riley won in a career best of 1:54.3.

Super Girl Riley (Marcus Miller) shocked the field in the $180,000 Zweig Memorial for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

The big favorite Plunge Blue Chip (Ake Svanstedt) carved out all the early fractions (:28, :57.2, 1:26.3). Basquiat (Yannick Gingras) followed in the pocket before going on a break at the three-quarter pole. Perfect Summer K (David Miller) would then inherit second.

Super Girl Riley ($17.20) came first-over from third in the stretch. She ran down Plunge Blue Chip to win in a career best of 1:54.3. Plunge Blue Chip had to settle for second money. Perfect Summer K finished third.

Owned by Paymaq Racing, George Golemes, and Harvey Eisman and trained by Erv Miller, the 3-year-old filly by Muscle Mass won for the second time in 2018. It was her sixth career victory.

Zephyr Kronos (Yannick Gingras) won the $80,000 Zweig Memorial consolation for 3-year-old trotters.

After Missle Hill led them to a first quarter of :27, Zephyr Kronos ($3.50) took control of the rest of the race (:56.2, 1:24.4, 1:52). Zephyr Kronos, who is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners Al Libfeld, Perry Soderberg, and Christina Takter, held off one last late charge from second place finisher Missle Hill. Mississippi Storm (Tim Tetrick) was third best.

Zephyr Kronos is a 3-year-old colt by Ready Cash. He won for the fifth time this season and in his career. None faster than tonight.

Zero Tolerance won the $52,500 first division of the New York Sire Stakes for freshman pacing fillies. Zero Tolerance is trained by Joe Holloway for owners Val D’Or Farms and Theodore Gewertz. The filly by Heston Blue Chip-Feelinglikeastar flew in the stretch to win 1:51.3. So Aweome (Tim Tetrick) finished second with St Somewhere (Yannick Gingras) getting third money.

Zero Tolerence ($3.60) is now four-for-five in her career.

Money Shot Hanover (Tyler Buter) won the $53,500 second division of the NYSS. Money Shot Hanover ($5.40) out dueled JK American Beauty (Yannick Gingras) in the stretch to win in 1:53. Brooklyn Lilacs (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third.

Money Shot Hanover is a filly by Art Major-Marinade Hanover. Owned by Rick Phillips, Deena Frost, and trainer Mark Harder, she won for the first time in five starts.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Aug. 18) with a post time of 6:10 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.