Twenty-three colts in the thunderous trotting heats for the 2013 Hambletonian championship

The true strength and stamina of the standardbred is on trial at the Meadowlands for the first time in years as the Hambletonian returns to its original format—elimination heats and a final on the same race program.

Enough horses (23) have dropped into the box to support a trio of elim heats, with the first three finishers in each returning for the final. This is not odd for harness racing; it is an intrinsic and unique aspect of the sport. For bettors, it means three great opportunities to play and win in the Hambo events before the triptych of trotters from each heat returns for a fourth wagering field.

As well, the entire racing program features an exclusive Players’ Pool at TwinSpires, so you can buy into wagering throughout the day of high stakes trotting and pacing action. Click here for information on how to get into the action now.

The fillies Hambletonian Oaks has only a final on Aug. 3, which we are covering below as well as the elim heats. All other races for Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 are covered in the TwinSpires harness blog.

Make note that the opinions of obvious contenders and outsiders in these heats make no reference to the Hambletonian Final winner. An elim heat can provide a huge upset while the eventual Hambo champ makes the final being second or third and the longshot finishes up the track. Again, this is the beauty of elim heats.

Hambletonian elim-heat one

The strange case of Smilin Eli, who changed barns after a drama to do with the state of his connections, took him off track when the judges scratched him from the Stanley Dancer. He was clearly at the top of his game, even though he had lost at Pocono the week before. Of course, that loss, too, is questionable, since he was best in the division up until then. His return last week found him parked in a race he should have dominated if he were in his former “skin.” He can make the final but other dynamics in this field may get in his way of winning.

Royalty For Life is the buzz horse and he will be all out from post 8, tackling the likes of High Bridge, who has turned out to be peaking just in time for Jimmy Takter and must be greatly respected. The speed brigade is joined by Dewycolorintheline, whose improvement relied on the faults of some others in the Yonkers Trot. E L Rocket also likes racing up front.

Aside from High Bridge being able to take advantage of dueling, we are left with two late-moving trotters that could benefit from burnout up front, though they are clearly outsiders guaranteeing only high prices should the speed scenario develop. They are Super Class and Dreams Of Thunder.

The former has not won at three yet and only once in 18 times but if he is handed the chance you can bet he will be the last trotter standing. Dreams Of Thunder may need less help from speed duels than from his own gait; he has broken twice at huge odds and will be dismissed by bettors. What happens if he is smooth in this race while the top dogs are set aflame? There will be bombs away on the toteboard.

Hambletonian elim-heat two

Over the past two months, Dontyouforgetit became a different colt than when he galloped into his sophomore season. Once he got to trottin’ he won as an outsider, paying well and continuing to race well. He lost the Yonkers Trot but raced the best of the entire field while breaking early, recovering, and then being knocked off stride again but by a foe, and still making up 19 lengths in the stretch. Doing all this on the four turns at Yonkers is much more impressive than the winner, Deweycolorintheline.

Along with Aperfectyankee, who we endorsed before he won last year’s “Haughton” and has been a profit-maker for us recently, Dontyouforgetit should prove again that he can put in a giant mile (without breaking) and if he wins, do so at a decent price. Wheeling N Dealin should get a lot of support, leaving the aforementioned duo with good win mutuel offerings. Wheeling N Dealin, in our judgment, still has much to prove as a sophomore and it would not be a total surprise to us if he didn’t even make the final.

Hambletonian elim-heat three

Only seven colts adorn the ultimate elim heat, with veteran Hambo-winning trainer Chuck Sylvester’s Spider Blue Chip taking the buzz-horse badge. This colt really likes the Meadowlands and has commanded some miles here recently. However, Corky is in a prime spot to make another Jimmy Takter colt get to the final with a win check.

The possible upsets are so obvious they seem moot and it is a hazardous guess to predict which other two may make the grade after Corky because cases for all of them would be valid.

The Hambletonian Oaks will have to be somehow disturbed by breakers or an alien landing at the half to picture a loss for Bee A Magician. Has the brilliant Kadabra filly come all this way to lose the spotlight and a place in history? The answer is no, historically and realistically. Make no mistake about the fact that there are some very talented trotting gals in this field but they are just more testimony to how great Bee A Magician races, since she has dominated this division with firm steps and mighty speed and most of all, with ease.

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 during live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

 

‘Oaks’ elims, Yonkers Trot and colts’ prep mark big soph weekend

On the Meadowlands big July 27 program, there are two Hambletonian Oaks elims, since the event is not to be presented in heats. These miles will decide the field for the August classic for soph-trot fillies.

Elim one finds Bee A Magician, the undisputed champ of the division, coming from post 1 and looking for her eighth-straight win at three. What else can be said about the dominating daughter of Kadabra? Her Meadowlands debut this year against her major foes was an easy stroll home in record time. Barring any missteps—which have never been a problem with her in 17 starts at two and three—she will show the best she has to offer, which has been unequaled by any in the soph crop she has faced.

The second “Oaks” elim is a true wagering affair. You can make a decent case for most of these, so your judgment of value deserves our respect. But if we have to argue for any filly in this seven-girl gala, it’s Southwind Cocoa. She finally came through after we supported her up to the Tompkins win at 14-1 last week. She is peaking now, rounding into shape after some mishaps and trip problems. Her Hudson Filly Trot effort was very good and she took no prisoners, so to speak, commanding her Tioga victory. She may not offer 14-1 here but on the two-turn mile, where trainer Linda Toscano’s stock excels, the daughter of Chocolatier should float.

Elimination winners Dontyouforgetit and Creampuff Macdaddy drew post positions 4 and 6, respectively, for Yonkers Raceway’s 59th Yonkers Trot on July 27. Eight soph- colts earned berths after last week’s two elims. 

 

Dontyouforgetit (pictured) beat longshot Fico by nose (1:57.2) in the second elim to complete the exacta we supported in last week’s preview. The Jimmy Takter colt has been on fire since a disappointing start and truly holds some cards for Hambletonian victory. Takter, who drove his homebred last week, puts Brian Sears up for the final. 

 

Creampuff Macdaddy can’t go to the Hambo and ultimately is not as tough as Takter’s colt, even though he won the first elim in 1:56.3. Indeed, Fico, wanting a shot in the Hambo heats, has improved and looms a tougher foe. Dewycolorintheline could complete the trifecta, though an upset seems far fetched. 

Back to the Meadowlands, where a few Hambo-eligible colts get a preview race with a $25,000 purse—an Open for the division.

The return of Smilin Eli could decide whether or not the early season division leader is ready for next week’s heats. He needs this race but he does not need to win this race; a good showing will get him into the big event.

All eyes are on Wheeling N Dealin, who drew post 9 and must prove that he is better than his opening two soph efforts, which were extremely disappointing conditioned events. He may be all out and put on a good enough show to stop his connections from concern or he may not be up to the great expectations he presented after never losing a race at two.

Once again, Team Takter may have the edge here for a price with Bluto. His sires-stakes loss at Philadelphia was not an embarrassment after a resounding PA All Stars win as our choice the week before. He will like the two turns far better than the three he has been negotiating and is one of the best Donato Hanovers available at three.

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.

 

Yonkers Trot elims, Grand Circuit events ensue

There were enough horses this year to provoke two elims in The Yonkers Trot. Each elim is worth $40,000. All but three of the colts in the duo of miles are eligible for the big race, though the top dogs have steered clear of the four-turned event. 

 

In the first of the two elims, Deweycolorintheline will get attention off of his Stanley Dancer Memorial finish, third to the favorite Royalty For Free who took that status in the confusion of Smilin Eli’s scratch. This “Dewey” could be coming around now and is in a good spot here, with two non-eligibles leaving to his left and three others with questionable soph histories thus far. 

 

The second elim features eligibles from post 1 to post 6 of eight, the most available for heavy betting being Dontyouforgetit. After disappointing missteps, Dontyouforgetit came back and surprised the public with double-digit-paying wins. Jimmy Takter’s colt had only the breaking problem to solve but there was no mercy at the betting windows early in the season. Now he is back and shows up here, where Takter has said the colt thrives—on the half-mile. There is doubt he will be overlooked in this field, where the other eligibles are not first-tier candidates for the Hambo.  

 

But in the mix should come Explosive Action and Fico. If the tides of popular opinion turn against Dontyouforgetit, these two will have the best chances to upset. 

 

At Tioga, the Grand Circuit (GC) Tompkins-Geers events present two editions for soph fillies and one large field for the colts on July 20.  

 

Only four eligibles go in the $62,766 division of colts in a field of 10. The quartet presents three intriguing possibilities. First, Caveat Emptor, who could be a monster if his gait problems are solved, may not be peaking for the Hambo but is showing signs of improvement. A surprise win at a big price could be looming boldly. As well, Banco Solo’s disappointments over the past few weeks may still represent a tune-up he needs to get on the right earning path. He may do better with this bunch. Finally6, Modest Prince has been competitive since his 50-1 win in May. This is a softer field than he has taken on recently and he could have some fire for the finish. 

 

The fillies’ splits go for $35,383 each and in the first we are treated to a daughter of champion Varenne, Richesse Oblige S. She is among four eligibles in the eight-horse field and could be worth a shot for her class and breeding edge among this group. In round two, another quartet of eligibles are favored among the eight involved. Southwind Cocoa has not been as sharp as we thought and it is getting late in the game. We want to take a shot on Alston Hall, a Deweycheatumnhowe gal that could make a bunch on the GC though she will probably not be around to test Bee A Magician in the “Oaks.” If we are right about her, she should pay the most for backers over the next few weeks.

 

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.

On the brink of Hambletonian casts, colts and fillies battle in the east

At the Meadowlands on July 13, 23 colts and the fillies making their way to the starting gates on the first weekend in August are poised to make everyone take notice. 

 

The $294,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial gathers the boys, many that we have seen on the “Trail” already and a few relative unknowns. 

 

Foremost is the return of Smilin Eli to familiar territory, where all Hambo hopefuls love to do well, the Meadowlands. He is not the top earner here, as Corky’s form has improved greatly since early season and looms a threat here even from post 10. “Eli” lost the “Beal” final due to a poor post and a wide start, though he handled the elim from post 8 with no problem. Here, he may have the edge over Corky. Eli has yet to prove he is not the horse to beat and this test will verify his immediate strengths.

 

Banco Solo has not improved as much as we thought he would over the past two races. Even with trouble, he should have shown better in his last three. But a turn-around is possible in his early campaign. Spider Blue Chip does not seem to be first-tier division material, though he won a Reynolds easily here last week (one horse he beat badly in that was “Banco.” 

 

Then there’s Celebrity Maserati, a colt still dangling possibilities over handicappers’ heads. The post here is awkward but he is a fine trotter and should not be dismissed from the exotic mix, if nothing else.  

 

Still in the shadows are Six Gun Hall, Dewycolorintheline, Fico, Dreams Of Thunder, Your So Vain, Royalty For Life and Raven Victory. 

 

The fillies go in the $265,000 Del Miller stakes. This year, both of these events feature one big field instead of divisions, leaving one big purse for each. But the filly stakes is far more competitive on the surface than is the colt stakes.   

 

Frau Blucher has been on fire in the division and this event should show if she is still aflame. Coming up against Bee A Magician, who has arrived stateside with no losses yet at three, is essential in her bid for the “Oaks” (unless “Magician” opts to go in the main event with the boys. For sure, she will be a good price against Magician here. 

 

Another question looms boldly: Just how good is Ma Chere Hall? Some clean-as-a-whistle wins adorn her sophomore campaign thus far and why would that not be a sign she is full of herself at the right time? These are the three most likely prospects here and how the betting goes should determine your wager, though exotics may lean toward Magician as the key over the other two mentioned (if you box, that’s the trio).

Also on Saturday, Vernon Downs will host three divisions of the $130,575 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) for colt trotters.

Division one is the trickiest of the three, seeing as a majority of the field has questionable gaits. There seems to be two main contenders, Crazy About Pat and Theraputic, as well as two eligibles, Bizarro Lindy and Pine Credit. Since Crazy About Pat is the likely favorite, Theraputic will be the value of the duo. His last start at Vernon was in the Empire Breeders’ Classic (EBC), where he appeared to be outclassed. Off of his two losses in the EBC, he came back to win divisions of NYSS at Buffalo and Yonkers. He appears to be improving with every mile and should be sharp this week.

E L Rocket will be the one to beat in the second division. He highlights the five hopefuls in this field, the others being Modest Prince, Order By Keeper, Explosive Action and Crazed N Lindy. E L Rocket will likely be the public’s pick in this event, with his rivals being on a lower level than him. After moving to the Ron Burke barn, E L Rocket has been sharp and continues to improve with every start. Though not likely, if he goes off around the 2-1 region, then our mission for value will have succeeded.

The final division attracts three eligibles, Sixteen Mikes, Twisted Pretzel and Jacks To Open. Tirade Hanover will receive all of the praise in this race and the tote board will show it. To his outside is Blackwolf Run, a horse with a humongous shot. Coming from the Sam Schillaci barn, the fact that it’s a not-so-well-known horseman behind him could hike his price, as well as his post. He is one of the four colts in this field that have speed off the gate and from his spot, he’ll likely be able to map out a pocket trip, saving enough energy for the stretch, where he will blow by rivals and expose the question marks that will hang over the public’s head when Tirade Hanover does not claim victory.  
 

At Hazel Park, two colt eligibles will appear in the $100,000 William Connors Memorial on Friday, July 12. Look for good performances (if now a cold box exacta) with Longwell and Theatrical Session.

 

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.

 

Fillies firing at Yonkers

A septet of “Oaks” eligibles are set to go to gate Monday night, July 8, at Yonkers Raceway, where three divisions of the $358,857 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) headlining the 13-race card. 

 

Lady Riviera is the lone Oaks-hopeful in the first division. With the morning-line favorite drawing the outside in this division, it opens the race up for value. From the rail comes Canadian invader Alphadoodle from the Rick Zeron barn. She made two starts against this group in previous NYSS events, one being an impressive closing effort on “sloppy” going at Buffalo and the other a disappointing sixth at Tioga. She trotted a little too fast in her last start and from what her lines show, should handle the half-mile well. The draw was friendly to her as well, giving her a better shot to get the trip she needs. 

 

Empire Breeders’ Classic champion Lola De Vie headlines the second division and will start from the pylons. With her come eligibles Hall La La, Bouncing Bax, Palm Beach Chic and four others. One of the other four is a major contender in the value market and, as a matter of fact, will start from post 4. 

 

Isabella Gal seems to be rounding into form as shown in her previous starts. Off of an eighth-place effort in the Empire Breeders’ Classic, she took about three weeks off and went to Tioga to race in the NYSS. From post 7 she took the front and set moderate fractions on the lead, only to come up short into the stretch. She will likely get away in a pocket spot and stalk Lola De Vie on the lead. With a pocket ride, she will have plenty left into the stretch. 

 

The final division features eligible Proclaiming April, listed as the morning line favorite. Two eligibles, Crazy Grigio and Demented are also entered. Although they have high sights for the first weekend in August, their chances in this event are “iffy.” On the other hand, Long Island Tea has been showing nothing but talent recently. 

 

She broke in the slop at Buffalo in a NYSS event as a favorite off a pocket ride but it evidently proved to be a problem, as she galloped again from post 9 when she competed in NYSS at Tioga. The early miscue didn’t stop her, she regained 10 lengths passing three-quarters when she came to the outside and was interfered. She came into the stretch blasting after the leader, to come a 1 ½ lengths from the victory getting fourth. Due to two breaks, she had to qualify. Trainer Paul Kelley added trotting hopples and qualified her at Plainridge, where she trotted the course with ease in 1:57.3. She is sharp and peeking so we are going to catch her while she’s hot. 

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.

Soph contenders abound

The Hudson Filly Trot, Grand Circuit Reynolds stakes and a slew of Pennsylvania All Stars (PAAS) events adorn the first weekend in July at three tracks with different sizes hosting hopefuls for August classics.

Yonkers hosts the $155,624 Hudson Filly Trot for the soph gals on July 6, with eight behind the gate, half of them eligibles.

Lady Broadway has been going great guns but is ineligible to the big dance and will have do deal with the freshness of one eligible as her main threat. The Kadabra soph, Cha Cha Magic, makes only her fourth start and has one second and a sharp aim at August. Trainer Staffan Lind’s ticket to the “Oaks” gets the best post and should offer a big price. She is one of the progeny of Kadabra, who has sent out female champs like this year’s Bee A Magician.

PAAS colt trotters start off another big Saturday program at Pocono Downs, July 6. The purses for these events are $30,000 each. Race one looks like a battle between Brew Master and Maxamillus, with only the former an eligible. Brew Master is in top form now and is at the level of this group, though his recent win was among cheaper types.

Round two of five for the colts has seven eligibles in eight, with another shot for Aperfectyankee. Staying flat is all he needs, as he seems to tower over the others and with morning-line choice Tigress’s Legacy on the outside, Aperfectyankee could put in his best soph performance yet.

In the third PAAS split we have two possibilities, the obvious and the wild card. The former is Bluto, who has raced with better and should be a dead-on favorite. But the non-eligible Classicality could fool some folks, having won at a fair in slow time on a good track last out. We find it a positive that driver Dave Palone becomes the guide for Walter Dunn’s local trotter who Brian Zendt has been handling well among state-breds. If he upset this group it would be no surprise to us but may be a surprise to bettors.

The penultimate colt PAAS presents only one eligible, our choice, High Bridge. Coming from a second in the “Beal” he should be ready to take on this field, a group that has not seen the likes of the first tier in the division.

Finally, All Laid Out is here after winning the Beal consolation. With Palone up the odds will dip but we will go with Boffin, also an eligible, who will offer odds higher than his chances. He was third to All Laid Out last week and has put in some good races with excuses.

On July 5 the Grand Circuit’s W.R. Reynolds stakes for filly and colt trotters are part of the weekend Meadowlands stakes menu.

In the first filly contest, we like Ma Cherie Hall, who returned as a soph in top form. This classy lass may not be overlooked but she is too hot to dismiss. In round two for the gals, we like the outsider Raring To Go S, an eligible with two wins in three starts that can make trouble for the two big favorites, Mistery Woman and To Dream On.

More than $50,000 is on the line in the only Reynolds colt split, featuring five eligibles. We like Banco Solo again. His Pocono races were good with larger fields. This small and lightweight group may be easier to command, especially with two turns.

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.

Yonkers presents colts on the half

July opens with colt trotters The July 1 $356,456 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) for soph colts and geldings offers a quartet of contests at the New York half-mile track. 

 

The opening ($89,914) division includes Tirade Hanover, a winner earlier this season in his Empire Breeders Classic elim at Vernon. He is one of six non-eligibles going for the big purse. The two in play for Hambo action are Order By Keeper and our choice, Pine Credit. 

 

The second ($88,314) NYSS field finds one eligible, our choice, Explosive Action, in the mix with top-rated West Side Story. That one comes from off a big win at Georgian Downs. 

 

Monday's third ($88,314) state-bred event is led by Modest Prince , the Linda Toscano-trained colt who has hit the board in four of his five soph starts, winning for the first time this season at 50-1 in a Simpson at the Meadowlands. Against the locals here, Modest Prince is a no-brainer choice.

 

The final ($89,914) NYSS mile July 1 features red-hot eligible Jurgen Hanover, who started the season with seven wins in a row before failing in his elim for the Earl J. Beal Memorial at Pocono. Three other eligibles take to the cause: Prove Up, Twisted Pretzel and Jacks To Open. We will stick with Jurgen Hanover (perhaps a small trifecta with the three eligibles behind him?).

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.