Trotters at twilight time

Friday and Saturday night, July 15 and 16, the Meadowlands hosts the most intense of the Hambletonian and "Oaks" preps.

The colts, only two of them non-eligibles, take flight in a pair of $166,000 divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 16, while 11 fillies go the night before in the $237,000 Del Miller Memorial.

In the first "Dancer," Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall), the recent defeater of early season Hambo choice Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall) meet again, and the latter gets stuck with the 8 hole, while "Bahn" comes from post 2. Oddly enough, the one non-eligible, Dejarmbro, which has beaten all of his division's foes at one time or another this season, is here out of post 5 to try to steal the glory from any of the others who can be in the August classic.

Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide), who has shown his prowess on the New Jersey oval, comes from post 4. The favorite he beat, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide), comes from post 6. Filling out the field are (1) Live Jazz (Andover Hall), (3) Whit (Classic Photo) and (7) Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall). 

There are multi-scenarios considering which horse with a history of breaking could wind up running but all things being equal, it could be "Charlie" that has the upper hand at this late date. And that scenario includes beating Dejarmbro, as the colt is now meeting more of the sharper foes in his division at once. Trainer Trond Smedshammer is listed as the driver of Dejarmbro as we go to press and that is a plus in our opinion. However, this test may be too much for him and Charlie is in top shape when staying flat.

The second Dancer split features only seven eligibles, with Mr Web Page, not much a threat, from post 6. This is a great chance for (4) Big Rigs (Andover Hall) to shine, all things being equal (he has had his share of jumping problems). This softer of the two divisions should be easy for him if he is in shape, regardless of the surprising sharpness of (2) Evil Urges (Cash Hall). Beyond those two, the remaining purse checks are up for grabs. The field includes (1) Mythical Hall (Andover Hall), (3) Chapter Seven (Windsong's Legacy), (5) Big Sky Storm (Classic Photo) and Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster).

Missing in action is Blue Porsche (Glidemaster), the colt who put in the most remarkable mile of the division when he won in Canada almost a month ago.

The Miller sends out 11, with (7) Action On George the only non-eligible. Poor Creme De Cocoa (Chocolatier) suffers from the post disadvantage that cost her sire the Hambletonian as she has to leave from post 10. Just in front of her is the probable best of the lot, (9) Lost Symbol (Yankee Glide). Perhaps "Symbol" can overcome the adversity of post 9, while "Cocoa" could have her issues weaving her way to the top with all this traffic.

The others are (1) Sizzling Volo (Yankee Glide), (2) Hey Mister (Muscles Yankee), (3) Tawsome More (Muscles Yankee), (4) Iron Lady (Daguet Rapide), Angelette Hanover (Yankee Glide), Wincinnati (Windsong's Legacy), (8) Lady Andover (Andover Hall) and (11) Thatsnotmyname (Windsong's Legacy).

For results, reviews and archives, check the Hambletonian Society website.