Historic Vernon Downs
will revisit its former glory on the afternoon of Sunday, August
26, the final day of the recreation of State Fair weekend. Being
raced for the very first time at Vernon, the Dr. Harry M. Zweig
Memorial has attracted the very finest three year old trotters in the land.
Hambletonian
winner Market Share heads the $350,000 Zweig
Open division (race 10) where he will face New York's finest sophomore
Archangel, last season's Breeders Crown winner Uncle Peter and 'Goodtimes'
winner Beer Summit in his quest to add the Zweig title to his résumé.
The
$150,000 Zweig companion
filly race (#8) may be described as a throw
down between two titans of the trot, Ray Schnittker
and Jimmy Takter. Both have three entries and the
common ownership coupling required in New York has reduced the field of nine to
just three betting interests.
Takter
sends out the formidable trio of On The Bright Side, Valdonna
and Superstar Hanover, joined by Hambo Oaks winner Personal
Style (Brittany Farms owned but from the Nifty Norman barn), into the melee
versus Schnittker's battalion,
led by world record holder Check Me Out coupled with Real Babe, Lima Playmate
and Cowgirl Hall (Ted Gewertz owned interest with Gates Brunet
the trainer) for a 4X4 battle royale. The odd girl out is Bob Key's
accomplished million dollar winning Win Missy B for trainer Charlie Norris.
There
are consolations for both of the above and the final round of the 2012 Drivers'
Championship will span six of the thirteen races offered.
Post
time is 1:15 PM on Sunday and the afternoon is filled with promise for
youngsters both equine and human with a carnival, Jody Jamieson bobbleheads,
T-shirts and a meet and greet with the celebrity drivers competing in the
championship at 11:45. Check the Vernon
website for further details.
