‘Cup’ undercard highlights signature trots

Mohawk Racetrack’s feature night, the night of the $1-million North America Cup, is set for this Saturday, June 15. On the undercard of the North America Cup are the Elegant Image for sophomore filly trotters and the Goodtimes for open three-year-old trotters.  

Bee A Magician (H-Kadabra) headlines the field in the $364,266 Elegant Image. Also appearing for the dance are eligibles Mistery Woman (H-Donato Hanover), To Dream On (H-Credit Winner), Handover Belle (H-Andover Hall) and Shared Past (H-Chocolatier).  

Princess Lilly showed to be the most impressive of all the elimination participants, being parked through a :26.4 first quarter and sat a pocket trip. She came out into the stretch in pursuit of the new leader, Bee A Magician, and finished second by a ½ length in 1:53.3. She drew the outside and has a good late kick, so if she sits off the pace, she should be positioned well and come late in the mile with a good chance to beat the heavy favorite.  

The Goodtimes final looks to be an evenly matched field. Rossini (H-Classic Photo), Denver (H-Andover Hall), Bwt Taj (H-Broadway Hall), Rolls Blue Chip (H-Credit Winner) and Caveat Emptor (H-Deweycheatumnhowe) are the Hambo hopefuls going to post Saturday.  

Gotta Secret could be the value in the race. He’ll likely try to sit off the pace and with little speed in this race, he could close well on whoever is leading the mile. Do not take him to win if he is under 6-1.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.