The Meadowlands - Saturday, August 5 is Hambletonian
Day, the Greatest Day in Harness Racing with the marquee event
featured on a stakes laden card with total purses in excess of $3.5
million on the day.
The 92nd Hambletonian, first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown,
drew nineteen entrants, split into a pair of $100,000 first heats with the top
five from each returning later that afternoon for a $1 million purse and the
most important trophy in the sport.
What The Hill and Devious Man are the logical favorites in the
first division of heat number one, both have impressive accomplishments
at ages two and three.
Hambletonian Elimination
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Line
1-What The
Hill-David Miller-Ron Burke-3/1
2-Seven And
Seven-David Miller-Tom Durand-8/1
3-Sortie-Andy
McCarthy-Noel Daley-10/1
4-Shake It Off
Lindy-Brett Miller-Frank Antonacci-20/1
5-Dover Dan-Brian
Sears-John Butenschoen-8/1
6-Enterprise-Tim
Tetrick-Marcus Melander-9/2
7-Southwind
Cobra-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke-15/1
8-Achille
Duharas-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-20/1
9-Devious Man-Andy
Miller-Julie Miller-5/2
10-Perfect
Spirit-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-12/1
Division two of the first heat will test International
Moni to win Trotting's Greatest Race to honor his legendary dam Moni
Maker. By the French sire Love You, International Moni is the most successful
foal to date from the great mare and also carries the long Hambletonian legacy
of the Antonacci family who bred and own the colt in partnership with David
Reid as Moni Maker Stable. He'll start from post position five for driver
Scott Zeron who looks to remain Hambo perfect in his young career.
Hambletonian Elimination
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Line
1-Southwind
Woody-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-12/1
2-Bill’s Man-Corey
Callahan-John Butenschoen-5/1
3-Guardian Angel
As-Jason Bartlett-Anette Lorentzon-10/1
4-Giveitgasandgo-Corey
Callahan-John Butenschoen-8/1
5-International
Moni-Scott Zeron-Frank Antonacci-5/2
6-Stealth
Hanover-Francisco Del Cid-Francisco Del Cid-30/1
7-Victor Gio
IT-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-6/1
8-Long Tom-Tim
Tetrick-Marcus Melander-3/1
9-Jake-Dan
Dube-Luc Blais-8/1
There was some consideration of top filly Ariana G being entered
in the main event against colts but her connections chose to stay with the
girls and she will be a prohibitive favorite in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Her full sister All The Time won this race last year for the very same
connections, owner/breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, trainer Jimmy Takter
looking for four in a row and seven wins overall in the Oaks and driver Yannick
Gingras.
$500,000 Hambletonian Oaks
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Line
1-Southwind
Avanti-Jason Bartlett-Anette Lorentzon-10/1
2-Dream
Together-Daniel Dube-Luc Blais-8/1
3-Caviart
Wonder-Andy McCarthy-Noel Daley-20/1
4-Ariana G-Yannick
Gingras-Jimmy Takter-6/5
5-Magic
Presto-Brian Sears-R. Nifty Norman-5/1
6-Fine Tuned Lady-Corey
Callahan-John Butenschoen-10/1
7-Feed Your
Head-Tim Tetrick-Jimmy Takter-6/1
8-Sunshine
Delight-Brett Miller-Staffan Lind-20/1
9-Overdraft
Volo-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-10/1
10-Dream Baby
Dream-Rod Allen-Rod Allen-15/1
The rest of the day's stakes were being assembled as this is
written. Entries will be posted on the web when available.
The $295,000e Cane Pace, first leg of Pacing's Triple Crown, is
also raced on the Hambo Day card and drew a dozen entrants. The Cane pits
Meadowlands Pace winner Huntsville against rival Downbytheseaside who was a
supplemental entry into the race at a cost of $35,000. It's a war when these
two throw down and they'll be going the route distance of a mile and an eighth
on Saturday.
The $100,000e Shady Daisy drew just six sophomore pacing fillies
with both winners of last week's Adioo Volo supplementing to this race. Blazin
Britches was a short priced winner in an impressive 1:50.1 while Ella Christina
won as a longshot in her first start for trainer Nick Surick.
The older pacers are represented in the $225,000e Sam McKee
Memorial and $200,000e Lady Liberty.
The McKee has drawn the top older horses and geldings like WR
Haughton winner Mach It So and speed merchant Mel Mara set to battle over
a mile and an eighth while the red-hot Nike Franco N comes on the heels of
a 1:48 follow up to her Golden Girls score last month.
Twelve trotters will square off in the $303,000 John Cashman
Memorial, again at the extra distance due to the bulk of the field. They're all
here, Flanagan Memory is set to defend his title, Marion Marauder takes on
older foes for the first time, JL Cruze won the inaugural Spirit of
Massachusetts last week, Obrigado and Resolve are always in the hunt and Crazy
Wow is the best he's ever been.
The $200,000e Dr. John Steel Memorial features Hannelore Hanover
who holds the title as the best mare in trotting until somebody take's it from
her. Eight accomplished female opponents will endeavor to do just that.
Finally the freshman trotters will have their first major test of
the season with ten colts going for $360,000 in the Peter Haughton Memorial and
ten fillies to race for $330,800 in the Jim Doherty Memorial.
The day is filled with a hat giveaway, fun activities for the
kids, live entertainment good food and good times.
Hambletonian Day is the culmination of The Meadowlands
"Championship Meet" and the 16 race card starts at noon.
Admission is $5 and the gates open at 10 a.m.
