‘Zweig’ Splits Carry Weight In The Late-July Stretch

The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial will be presented in its annual miles, one for colts and one for filles, at Vernon Downs on Sunday, July 24. The traditional event that was raced in New York for decades but was once the event for glamour-boy-and-girl trotters on the week following the Hambletonian, has become another stakes step along the Hambletonian Trail.

The fillies race first with a $140,000 mile challenging nine. The six eligible fillies each have much to gain by winning this but by and large, Womans Will is probably the best of the lot. Lightly raced with only four races at three and always in the picture at the finish, she may still offer a two-digit price, though on the low end. Fad Finance, an eligible, is the “now” horse and should expect strong support. Swinging Royalty could boost the exotics up and has a good chance to be in the mix.

The colts in the $300,000 Zwieg number nine with only one ineligible. Jimmy Takter has three going but none of them are wearing out their welcomes in winners circles. In fact, Lagerfeld continues to battle with his stride.

Hititoutofthepark has won half of his eight starts and certainly needs this race to have his connections dare face Southwind Frank at the end of the “Trail.” Milligan’s School has started six times and either wins or doesn’t hit the board and Trolley has defied the division’s best in four starts though only winning once, as has Bar Hopping by winning one of seven.

Milligan’s School will be all out and that is the kind of aggression that will win this and get him into the Hambo. He may offer a decent price, you need to judge that value, but expect a big mile from the Millers’ best Hambo possibility.

The $75,000 Zwieg Consolation for colts brings together nine and could be a ticket for Steed to go on. He may offer a few bucks but will definitely be in the mix.

The $30,000 Zwieg Consolation should offer a great wager on Dupree. Ake Svanstedt’s colt may be a lot better than his foes in this but post 9 won’t attract bettors.

The $35,000 Consolation for fillies could catapault Lookin Sharp into the “Oaks” with force and pay well here from post 9.

The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.
 
Ray Cotolo contributes to this blog