Vernon Downs: Evelyn goes from pocket to paydirt in Zweig Filly

Evelyn and driver Andy Miller pulled off a mild upset in the $135,000 Zweig division for sophomore trotting fillies Friday night at Vernon Downs, giving trainer Ake Svanstedt a sweep of the Zweigs after his Yes Mickey won the open split.

Evelyn worked out a perfect pocket trip, leaving hard and yielding to 3-2 favorite Feed Your Head at the :27 opening quarter. Feed Your Head, with Yannick Gingras, stalled the fractions as longshot Sunshine Delight clogged the outer tier.

With a half in 57 and three-quarters in 1:25 4/5 Feed Your Head seemed likely to succeed, but the filly got leg-weary, and driver Brett Miller couldn't keep Sunshine Delight on a straight path, allowing Miller to vacate the pocket and roll past the pace-setter with Evelyn. Sunshine Delight gamely wore down Feed Your Head for the place spot, with the favorite finishing third.

Svanstedt Inc., Little E LLC., B. Nasstrom and Silva Stable 45 own the filly that won for just the second time in nine sophomore starts.

"I was getting a little claustrophobic down the backstretch," Miller said in regard to his lack of room. "When she got room she took off."