Opening Night of State Fair races at Vernon Downs

Sir Lehigh Z Tam and Pat Berry win a division of the NYSF

Sir Lehigh Z Tam turned in the fastest performance among the 81 New York-bred 2-year-old distaff Standardbreds competing in Friday night's $128,300 State Fair racing program at Vernon Downs.

With Pat Berry doing the teaming for trainer Richard Ringler in Friday's eighth event, a division of the $63,900 frosh filly pace, Sir Lehigh Z Tam rallied from fifth in the early going, closed from second at the head of the payoff patch, and then caught and passed the pace-setting Know It All in deep stretch to earn a career-best 1:53 win mark.

It marked the second Vernon victory and the third tally in five lifetime starts for the steady-going daughter of Art Major-Moss Blue Chip, who is registered to Pat Lachance, Ira Rosenblum and the M&M Harness Racing contingent.

Friday's other first-place finishers in the filly pace were JK Songsunblue (Art Major-Song Bird) in 1:53.3, Greatdayforamerica (American Ideal-Seasational) in 1:54, Ritascape (Artiscape-Rita J) in 1:54.1 and Mollie Mile (American Ideal-Little Betty) in 1:55.2.

On the trotting side of the ledger, You Want Me gave noted catch-driver Jim Morrill, Jr. his fifth win during Friday's 11-race program after her maiden-breaking 1:57.1 performance in race nine.  It was also one of three tallies during the track's 59^th program for trainer Paul Kelley.  William Weaver, III and the Kelly Racing Stable own the black daughter of Credit Winner-Annette Hall, who also sports a pair of second-place finishes and a third in five official trips to the racetrack.

The other female tallies on the diagonal gait were recorded by Palm Beach Chic (Conway Hall-Back On Track) in 1:57.3, Isabella Gal (Rc Royalty-Tango Hall) in 1:58.1, Americash Express (Cash Hall-Neon Hall) in 1:58.4 and Playful Credit (Credit Winner-Pinery) in 1:59.

Former Vernon regular Jeff Gregory piloted a pair of first-place finishers during Friday's program, as did defending track driving champion Jimmy Whittemore.

DOWNS DOINGS—Isabella Gal, who owns the season's fastest mile by a 2-year-old filly trotter at the Downs  (a 1:56.2 tally on July 26) is the winningest member of Friday's State Fair performers with four first-place finishes in seven starts…Also earning "maiden" victories during the evening were Aspidistra Hanover, Americash Express, Playful Credit, Greatdayforamerica, You Want Me and JK Songsung-blue.…The Downs continues its State Fair racing weekend on Saturday with New York-bred competition for 2-year-old colt/gelding trotters and freshman male pacers.  Saturday's 12-race card will begin at 6:55 p.m…Vernon will conclude State Fair weekend with its initial $50,000 leg of the 6^th-annual Driving Championship at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 26).  Dave Palone is the early points-leader after the event's first round that was held at The Meadowlands racetrack in New Jersey on Aug. 17.  Sunday's 13-race card will also include colt and filly flights of the $700,000 (est.) Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial 3-year-old trot, and a Jody Jamieson bobblehead doll giveaway…The Downs also has a matinee program planned for 1:15 p.m. on Labor Day (Sept. 3)… Next Wednesday (Aug. 29), Vernon will host a concert by "The Boss," Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street band at the track.  It's a leg of the noted singer's current Wrecking Ball Tour…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.