Vernon: Analysis for Friday's Zweig Stakes
On Friday (8/21) Vernon Downs plays host to a pair of Harry M Zweig Memorial trots featuring the the top three finishers from the Hambletonian as well as the top two from the Hambletonian Oaks. The 15-race card, which gets underway at 3:00 PM, also includes a pair of Sire Stakes races for 2-year-old colt trotters.
Let's take a look at the two Zweig races:
Race 10: $160,140 Harry M. Zweig Memorial Filly Trot
This is a rare opportunity to see the Hambletonian winner (1) RAMONA HILL versus the Hambletonian Oaks-winning (3) SORELLA. There is no arguing they are the two fastest fillies in the field on paper. There are some questions to answer from my perspective. For Ramona Hill, have four straight miles of 1:51 2/5 or faster taken something out of her? For Sorella, will she race without shoes? In her two starts racing barefoot she has been spectacular. Also, does the driver change to Dexter Dunn make a difference?
I'm going to roll the dice against the two aforementioned short-priced fillies and try (2) HYPNOTIC AM in this short five-horse field. She had no chance in the Oaks from the second tier when second by less than two lengths behind Sorella last time. If she has a monster mile in the tank, this looks like the right spot to put it out there. At the very least, she won't deal with too much traffic this week.
Race 11: $330,000 Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot
(4) READY FOR MONI put in a big first-over effort to be second in the Hambletonian last time behind Ramona Hill. Anything close to that mile, or even his previous two races in 2020, would result in a win. (5) THIRD SHIFT took a shot in his Hambletonian elimination and faded after the tough trip. Son of Chapter Seven has ability and it seems likely that Svanstedt will be firing off the wings of the gate to secure a sweet trip. (1) BACK OF THE NECK lost some of my respect in the Hambletonian where he should've finished second. He'll be the clear second choice in the wagering and a big threat to complete the exacta, but you're looking at an underlay. (9) ROME PAYS OFF broke at the start and lost all chance most recently. There is no reason why he can't contend for a board spot with a smooth trip.