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.