Vernon: Zweig victories for Spy Booth, Darlene Hanover

Spy Booth and driver Dexter Dunn, sent off at 9-1, captured the $325,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Saturday night at Vernon Downs, catapulting off a second-over trip to score in 1:52 3/5. It was the first victory of Spy Booth's career in his 12th lifetime start.

The Zweig got off to a rocky start for race favorite Dancinginthedark M, as he made a break in stride before the gate opened. Ake Svanstedt took advantage of the miscue and blasted to the front with Ambassador Hanover, hitting the first quarter in 27 seconds over Take All Comers.

Scott Zeron sensed the slow pace and took Balenciaga to the outside off the opening bend on an accelerated move to clear the lead. Balenciaga reached Ambassador Hanover shortly before the 56 3/5 half, and then the two went into a full sprint. Dunn had Spy Booth behind Balenciaga, but the Muscle Hill-sired gelding was doing all he could and was unable to keep pace during a vicious third quarter. Balenciaga's pursuit finally paid off, as he cleared the leader after the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters and opened up a couple of lengths into the homestretch.

Dunn was able to get Spy Booth into gear in upper stretch, and the Nancy Takter trainee, who finished second in the Hambletonian three weeks earlier, wouldn't be a bridesmaid any longer, as he rolled by to score the victory. Take All Comers, mired in traffic after the leader tired on the final turn, edged off the pylons and made a solid move late to get the place spot before miscuing on the wire. An inquiry found that Take All Comers impeded Goodashim when he angled out, and the judges disqualified him back to fifth for the infraction. That moved Balenciaga to second in the official order and elevated Zenith Stride to third. Goodashim was placed fourth.

"I had to chase him just to keep up," said Dunn following the race.

Spy Booth returned $21.60 to win. John Fielding, David Anderson, Robert Leblanc, and Marvin Katz share ownership of Spy Booth.

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Darlene Hanover continued her impressive form with a powerhouse performance in the $140,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig for sophomore trotting fillies. Todd McCarthy raced the Chapter Seven lass in the four-hole through much of the mile, as Iteration and Contested Hanover sparred in the early going, with Iteration leading through a 27 1/5 opening quarter.

Once past the half in 57 4/5, Darlene Hanover moved with purpose and drove right past Iteration after three-quarters in 1:26 4/5. Aunt Irene followed Darlene Hanover's cover to the stretch but was no match while clear for second. Contested Hanover rallied late for third, with co-6-5 choice Iteration fading to fourth.

Darlene Hanover is trained by Brett Bittle for the Yankeeland Partners LLP. A winner seven days earlier in the initial Delmonica Hanover stakes event at Pocono, Darlene Hanover returned $4.40 in winning for the third time in 2021.

"Brett had her spot on," said McCarthy, crediting the trainer for keeping Darlene Hanover in peak condition.

It was a case of polar opposite prices in two New York Sire Stakes divisions for juvenile trotting fillies on the undercard. Bare My Soul, sent off at 32-1, flashed trot along the inside to surprise in her $51,300 division for driver Scott Zeron. The Chapter Seven-sired lass broke her maiden, trotting to a 1:54 4/5 victory for trainer Linda Toscano over Valentina Blu and pace-setter Gertrude.

Brian Sears waited until the final turn to energize the 1-20 favorite Joviality S in the second $50,400 Sire Stakes division, and the Marcus Melander trainee responded to score in 1:54 3/5 over the 33-1 pace-setter Cash Infusion. Also by Chapter Seven, Joviality S won for the fourth time in six starts in 2021.