Vernon Downs: Zero Tolerance ties track record for a rookie filly pacer

Zero Tolerance joined See You At Peelers in the record book at Vernon Downs as she equaled the track mark for a 2-year-old pacing filly after winning the first of two New York Sire Stakes divisions on Friday night in 1:51 3/5.

Driven by David Miller in the $52,500 contest, Zero Tolerance led the way to the 26 4/5 opening quarter, but then yielded the front to St Somewhere (Yannick Gingras), who would go on to hit the half in 56 and the three-quarters in 1:24 1/5. Miller angled Zero Tolerance back to the outside turning for home, and she would overhaul St Somewhere before kicking away to a two-length win. So Awesome (Tim Tetrick) came on for second, with St Somewhere fading to third.

Joe Holloway trains Zero Tolerance, a daughter of Heston Blue Chip, for owners Val D'Or Farms and Ted Gewertz. She has four wins and a second from five starts, and she has now earned $61,891. Zero Tolerance, who was bred by Winbak Farm, sold for $30,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is out of the Artiscape mare Feelinglikeastar (2:02 3/5, $5,180), a full sister to Rainbow Blue (1:49 2/5, $1,428,934). Zero Tolerance was the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.60 to win.

In the other $53,500 division, JK American Beauty (Gingras) clicked off opening-half panels of 28 and 56 1/5, but Money Shot Hanover (Tyler Buter), who had pulled first-up out of third, was able to make front before the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters. JK American Beauty came back to the outside in the lane and challenged Money Shot Hanover all the way to the wire, but Money Shot Hanover dug in and fought her off to win by a head in 1:53. Brooklyn Lilacs (Jim Morrill Jr.) was up for third.

Trainer Mark Harder also co-owns Money Shot Hanover, an Art Major filly, with partners Rick Phillips and Deena Frost. Money Shot Hanover broke her maiden in her fifth chance, and she has now pocketed $51,533. An $85,000 acquisition at the Standardbred Horse Sale, Money Shot Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. and is out of the Bettor's Delight mare Marinade Hanover (1:51 2/5, $139,071). Marinade Hanover is a half-sister to the likes of Martini Hanover (Dragon Again, 1:49, $487,939). Money Shot Hanover was the 8-5 choice and returned $5.40 to win.