by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity
It was a dazzling night of action at Vernon Downs with the
highlight being the return of Father Patrick (Cantab Hall-Gala Dream) to his
winning ways in the $340,000 Zweig Memorial Trot. Father Patrick (Yannick
Gingras) assumed the lead almost immediately and led all the way home to
win in an impressive time of 1:52.2. His entry-mate, Hambletonian runner-up
Nuncio (John Campbell), tracked Father Patrick all the way but could never
get the upper hand on him and had to settle for second. Flyhawk El Durado (Mark
Macdonald), who had scored wins in four consecutive New York Sire Stakes races
entering the Zweig, finished third after tracking the entry pretty much
throughout the event.
The fractions for the Zweig Memorial were 25.4 for the
quarter, 56 seconds for the half and 1:25.2 for three-quarters.
Father Patrick is owned by Father Patrick Stable of East Windsor, New Jersey
and the trainer is Jimmy Takter. The complete order of finish for the Zweig
Memorial was: Father Patrick, Nuncio, Flyhawk El Durado, Resolve, Sumatra,
Martiniwithmuscle, Expressive Action, Auspicious Hanover, and Skates N Plates.
Superstar trotter Sebastian K also came to Vernon Downs on
Friday night to score in the $236,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot. While it was
anticipated that Sebastian K (Korean-Gabriella K) might just blaze to the
front and set a new track record time, it was a far more tactical performance
from the Ake Svanstedt trainee. He did seize the lead immediately after the
start, but then driver Svanstedt settled the horse in nicely to go through a
quarter in 28.1, the half in 57.3, and three-quarters in 1:26.3. This
relatively unhurried pace allowed Archangel (Yannick Gingras) and Market Share
(Tim Tetrick) to make challenges to the leader, but Sebastian K had plenty left
in the tank to win in a final time of 1:53, which did equal the Aged Horse
track record time set by For You Almostfree in 2013. Archangel settled for
second and Market Share was third.
Sebastian K is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. of Vero
Beach, Florida. The complete order of finish for the Crawford Farms Open Trot
was: Sebastian K, Archangel, Market Share, Bee A Magician, Flanagan Memory,
Intimidate, Mister Herbie, Quick Deal, and Master Of Law. Spider Blue Chip was
a scratch (sick).
The $150,000 filly division of the Zweig was also held on
Friday night and was won by Shake It Cerry (Donato Hanover-Solveig), who
rallied up the inside in the stretch to pass rivals Heaven's Door and Bikini So
Teeny. Her victory came in a time of 1:53.4. Shake It Cerry is owned by
Solveig's Racing Partners of East Windsor, New Jersey, trained by Jimmy Takter,
and she was driven to victory by Ron Pierce.
The opening leg of the 2014 Tioga-Vernon Drivers'
Championship took place on Friday night and there was a tie for the top spot
between Yannick Gingras and Ron Pierce with 20 points. This tie means that the
two drivers will split the $10,000 prize for leading after the first round of
the Championship. Corey Callahan is third with 13 points and the defending
champion Jim Marohn Jr. is fourth with 11 points. Points are awarded as
follows: 10 points for a win, 7 points for second, 5 points for third, 3 points
for fourth, and 1 point for fifth. The Drivers' Championship will continue at
Tioga Downs on Labor Day Monday with Round Two.
Live racing at Vernon Downs will resume on Saturday night
with an 11-race program that includes three divisions of the New York Sire
Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts. Post time is 6:45pm.
