by Mike Farrell
East Rutherford, NJ — Hambletonian Day was to be a day to unfurl
Swedish flags at The Meadowlands.
Why not? Rising star
Marcus Melander started the day with a powerhouse four-horse contingent locked
and loaded, taking dead aim at the 3-year-old trotting classic.
But when the dust
settled, it was our friendly neighbors to the north celebrating, as Forbidden
Trade pulled a 15-1 upset.
Canada’s champion
2-year-old showed the heart of a warrior to hold off 3-10 favorite Greenshoe by
neck in a dramatic fight to the finish.
And it was the first
Hambletonian victory for the Canadian trio of owner Serge Godin’s Determination
Stable, trainer Luc Blais and driver Bob McClure.
Coming in, McClure said
“the sky was the limit” for his colt. Forbidden Trade backed up that confidence
with the race of his life.
Forbidden Trade, third
in his Hambletonian elimination, was always in contention throughout the mile.
McClure and his colt tracked Green Manalishi S, an elimination winner and a
member of the Melander brigade, into the stretch. Forbidden Trade took charge,
but danger was looming with Greenshoe uncorking a menacing rally.
For an instant, it
appeared Greenshoe would blow on by. McClure admitted he was headed, but
Forbidden Trade was not done. After all, this was the day of the Maple Leaf.
“It was two incredible
colts fighting it out,” McClure said. “I don’t think there was a loser in that,
but we’re really happy to get out on top.”
It’s also been a
remarkable comeback for McClure, 28, who suffered a broken pelvis in a
qualifier accident in April. He was back in action by May 23, using a
hyperbaric chamber to hasten the recovery.
“I was really lucky to
have a good physical trainer,” McClure said. “I probably rushed it back a
little faster than I should have. I’m sure most drivers in this business have
done this a time or two.”
Melander didn’t get the
victory, but his trio of qualifiers for the final raced well. Gimpanzee rallied
from far back to get third and Green Manalishi S held on for the fifth and
final purse check.
Greenshoe never looked
comfortable behind the starting gate for the final as driver Brian Sears held
him together to prevent a break. That put him further back than expected, a
loss of ground that proved costly.
The time was 1:51 on a
warm sunny afternoon as the threatened showers never materialized to spoil the
day. Forbidden Trade paid $33.80 to win.
It was the 12th win in
18 starts for the son of Kadabra. He was a $110,000 purchase at the Harrisburg
sale.
The Hambletonian kicks
off the Trotting Triple Crown. Next up is the Yonkers Trot on Aug. 31, followed
by the Kentucky Futurity on Oct. 6.
Earlier in the day, a
determined Green Manalishi S pulled a 9-1 upset in the first Hambo elimination.
He left strongly from post eight, briefly dropped into fourth before ranging up
first-over to wear down Osterc in a lifetime best 1:50.3.
Melander and Courant
Inc. also won the second elimination. In a favorite’s delight, it was with
Greenshoe, the 1-5 favorite, in 1:50.2.
