Pinkman, Mission Brief Victorious In Zweig, Both Classic-bound

Vernon Downs contested its marquee races for sophomore trotters, the $370,000 Harry Zweig Memorial and its $185,000 filly counterpart, on a matinee card Sunday, July 27.

The 2015 Hambletonian Trail

By Frank and Ray Cotolo 

(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible 

New York 
Vernon Downs contested its marquee races for sophomore trotters, the $370,000 Harry Zweig Memorial and its $185,000 filly counterpart, on a matinee card Sunday, July 27. 

Pinkman (H-Explosive Matter) lunged from the pocket to win in 1:52 over stable mate Canepa Hanover (H-Muscle Yankee) and Workout Wonder (H-Conway Hall). The odds-on choice returned $2.10 to win. 

Mission Brief (H-Muscle Hill) brushed to the top in the final half of the mile, advancing to a 1:51.4 victory as the 1-5 betting choice over Wild Honey (H-Cantab Hall) and Magic Marker (H-Andover Hall) in the filly “Zweig.” The $2.60 winner, as confirmed by trainer Ron Burke, could be facing the boys in the Hambletonian. 

The Zweig also featured a $76,000 consolation, taken by Muscle Diamond (H-Muscle Hill) after overcoming sickness. Sent off the 4-5 favorite, he paid $3.90 in his 1:53.2 performance over Total Darkness (H-Muscles Yankee) and Fashion Creditor (H-Credit Winner). 

Pennsylvania 
The Meadows held Pennsylvania Sires Stakes during the week, with fillies Smokinmombo (H-Explosive Matter), paying $6.00 to win, and Bright Baby Blues (H-Andover Hall), $11.40, winning two divisions on Tuesday, July 21, and colts Cue Hall (H-Andover Hall), $19.40, and Wicker Hanover, $5.00, winning two divisions on Wednesday, July 22.