By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With each
having recorded a sharp score in their respective divisions of the Stanley
Dancer Memorial, Back Of The Neck and Ready For Moni have been installed as the
morning-line favorites in their respective Hambletonian eliminations, which
take place Saturday (August 1) night at The Meadowlands. The Hambo Final is
August 8.
In the first of two $50,000 elims,
Back Of The Neck is listed at 2-1 from post one for driver Scott Zeron and
trainer Ake Svanstedt. After missing a nose in his seasonal debut on June 27 to
Sorella – one of The Hambletonian Oaks favorites – the son of Ready Cash-Big
Barb has reeled off two straight wins from off the pace in impressive fashion,
scoring in the July 11 Reynolds in a lifetime-best 1:52 before his Dancer win on
July 18, also in 1:52.
“No, he is not one dimensional,” said
Zeron after being asked if his horses’ best game is coming from behind. “His
best effort was on the front end in his first start. To have come home in :26.1
and get picked off at the last second, that was a great effort.
“I avoided the front end going
forward because I wanted to teach him to do other things. [Having drawn post 1]
Gives me options. I definitely don’t have one trip in mind. I avoided the front
in his last two on purpose, but we will play it by ear. I’m happy with the post
position.”
Ready For Moni will start at 5-2 on
the big board from post 8 in the second elim as Nancy Takter and Yannick
Gingras look to become the first trainer-driver team to sweep The Meadowlands
Pace and The Hambletonian in the same year.
The son of Ready Cash-Nothing But
Moni went a perfect cover trip in his only outing of 2020 when he won his
Dancer split in a lifetime-best 1:51.4 after kicking home in :27.1.
So, what about the outside post
position? “I’m a little indifferent about it,” said Takter. “On paper, it looks
like we are in the easier of the two eliminations. I think we are in good
shape. I think the eight is a good spot.”
Takter is not concerned about Ready
For Moni having only had one outing this season.
“It’s just the way his schedule
played out,” said Takter. “I would have preferred one or two more starts but
all of our horses have a good foundation. I think it’s a myth that these horses
need a lot of races. They go so fast. I think [having too few starts] is better
than having too many.”
For the complete post-position draw
of both Hambletonian eliminations, go to http://ustrottingnews.com/hambletonian-eliminations-set/
FABULOUS FILLIES: Attempting to become the next filly
to win the Hambletonian (Atlanta was the last in 2018) are Ramona Hill (5-1 in
the first elim) and Sister Sledge (3-1 in elim two).
OAKS A SINGULAR EVENT: The $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks saw 12
horses enter, meaning that event for 3-year-old fillies on the trot will not
need eliminations and will be one dash for the cash on Saturday, August 8.
To view the complete list of horses
entered, go to http://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ENTERED-2020-Hambo.pdf
POST DRAWS LIVE: The post-position draws for both The
Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks will take place during Saturday night’s
program at The Meadowlands and will be broadcast on the track’s in-house
simulcast feed live.
