Vernon: Gingras enters Zweig with confidence in Ariana G

After a Hambletonian that had more questions than answers to many, the $320,000 Harry M. Zweig Memorial on Friday night at Vernon Downs is the first stage of many ahead that hopes to bring more clarity to the sophomore trotting division. The will-she-won’t-she tale that was a prelude to the Hambletonian draw a few weeks ago left some unsatisfied. For those the appearance of Ariana G among the nine sophomores in the field is major news.

“I think there’s no question she was the best on Hambletonian Day if you’re just talking about the first heat,” said Yannick Gingras, her driver. “I think she’s as good as any 3-year-old out there.”

Gingras has the ultimate amount of confidence in the Hambletonian Oaks champion and believes Friday’s results will be different for the Jimmy Takter-trained lass than they were when she was defeated by male competition in the Beal final on July 1.

“She wasn’t 100 percent that night,” said Gingras of the Beal. “The draw was terrible and you have to leave really hard into that first turn to overcome it.”

Gingras didn’t get Ariana G out fast enough in the Beal and that left him no choice but to come first over, a trip than on that night earned her a third-place finish, the lone loss of her otherwise brilliant campaign.

“I would have to say that her win in the Oaks and her NJSS Final were her two best efforts of the year,” Gingras said.

While Ariana G will start inside the two colts that finished ahead of her in the Beal, it didn’t appear as if Gingras was taking the post as a definitive advantage. “It’s a different track than Pocono so I don’t think it’s a big edge for us,” Gingras said.

Beal champion Devious Man was put up to second in the Hambletonian final. The New York-bred son of Credit Winner knows the track having captured the $252,000 Empire Breeders Classic final here in June. Andy Miller will guide Devious Man from post seven for his wife, trainer Julie Miller. Devious Man has finished first or second in all eight of his starts this year with a career bankroll that stepped over the $1 million mark in the Hambletonian.

Long Tom finished second in the Beal and enters the Zweig looking to bounce back. The Marcus Melander-trained son of Muscle Hill looked very solid on the front end in his Hambletonian elimination heat only to break stride entering the homestretch. Driver Tim Tetrick will get another chance from post six on Friday night.

International Moni hopes to bounce back from his lone 2017 defeat in the Hambletonian final. The son of Love You and Moni Maker captured his elimination heat at The Meadowlands but then was knocked off-stride in the final in an incident that spilled out after the race. International Moni’s trainer Frank Antonacci believed that Yannick Gingras, driving Victor Gio IT, interfered with his horse costing him a chance at the sport’s biggest prize. To his credit, Gingras has already put that day behind him and is looking forward to the Zweig. “I’ve got nothing to say about that,” said Gingras, confirming his stance.

International Moni and Scott Zeron may have a lot to say on Friday. With the pole position the colt will have plenty of opportunity to reassert his position in the sophomore class.

Trainer John Butenschoen’s Bill’s Man lost his Hambletonian elimination by a nose after a rugged first over attempt. Unfortunately without the benefit of a protected post draw for the final, the son of Credit Winner landed post 10 and was backed up for the duration of the $1 million final. Driver Corey Callahan should be expected to keep Bill’s Man closer to the action on Friday with the benefit of a post two draw.

Gingras hopes to find the winner’s circle in the Zweig Memorial filly division carded one race earlier as race nine with Feed Your Head. “She is very good right now,” Gingras said. “She got used a bit much trying to chase Ariana G in the Oaks but without Ariana G in the field I think she has a very good chance.”

Feed Your Head drew post five in the $135,000 event.

The Vernon Downs 12-race program has a first post of 6:45 p.m. on Friday.