Fields of dreams

Hambo and Oaks fields drawn

Hambletonian

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML

1-Broad Bahn-George Brennan-Noel Daley-4-1
2-Manofmanymissions-Andy Miller-Erv Miller-9-5
3-Fawkes-Yannick Gingras-Jonas Czernyson-15-1
4-Chapter Seven-Mike Lachance-Linda Toscano-7-2
5-Whit-Tim Tetrick-Homer Hochstetler-8-1
6-Whiskey Tax-Randy Waples-Thomas Durand-15-1
7-Opening Night-John Campbell-Jim Campbell-10-1
8-Magnum Kosmos-Brian Sears-Tony Dinges-15-1
9-Luckycharm Hanover-David Miller-T. Haughton-15-1
10-Pastor Stephen-Ron Pierce-Jimmy Takter-10-1

Oaks

PP-Driver-Trainer-ML

1-Iron Lady-Michel Lachance-Fredrik Persson-5-1
2-Crys Dream-Luc Ouellette-Henrik Hollsten-7-5
3-Seducedbychocolate-David Miller-J. Czernyson-20-1
4-Lady Rainbow-Rick Zeron-Rick Zeron-10-1
5-Bold And Fresh-Ron Pierce-Doug Miller-12-1
6-Sashay-Ron Pierce-Bob Stewart-15-1
7-Hey Mister-Brian Sears-Ross Croghan-4-1
8-Wincinnatti-Yannick Gingras-Brett Bittle-15-1
9-Martiniontherocks-Trevor Ritchie-Dustin Jones-15-1
10-Jezzy-Tim Tetrick-Ray Schnittker-6-1

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.

Yonkers Trot, ‘Hudson’ and more star hopefuls as August classics loom boldly

July brings the heat and the “heats” that matter most on the Hambletonian Trail, with only a few weeks for soph colts and fillies to make crucial decisions about dropping into the box for eliminations of the August classics. Nothing says this more than the presentations of the Yonkers Trot and the Hudson Filly Trot.

The Yonkers theater, unfortunately, keeps a lot of trainers from entering the big “Trot,” but that could make the race all the more unique, even though there are only seven entered for Yonkers Raceway’s major event. This year it is worth $445,474 and it is on the program Saturday, July 9.

Regardless of which current Hambo hopefuls are missing, the Trot is still the first jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown. And of the seven involved this year, the one-dash-for-the-cash event, all of them are eligible to make a play for the second leg, the Hambletonian. As well, some of the characters are currently red hot going into mid-July action.

Entrants, in alphabetical order, are: Bambino Hall (Tom Ridge), Celebrity Bombay (Yankee Glide), Del Cielo (Broadway Hall), Evil Urges (Cash Hall), Leader Of The Gang (Muscles Yankee), Live Jazz (Andover Hall) and Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster).

Although none of these colts are currently on many Hambo top-10-contenders lists, beware of the strength shown by some of them in recent weeks.

Most recently, Live Jazz came alive in a Historic mile at Goshen, paying $15.80 for the half-mile win. Another colt out to avenge his sire’s mishap in the Hambo, “Jazz” defeated the early sensation Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee) and top-contender Tiger’s Too Good (Conway Hall) in that event. Though VC Chocoholic (Chocolatier) broke in the event, Jazz clearly put in a race that marked major improvement.

Evil Urges came from out of nowhere to make many aware of his low-profile sire and he became a New York-bred co-star. In this field he is capable of making noise. So is Leader Of The Gang, the second-tier Jimmy Takter contender who at one time was thought to be more talented than Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall). If he can readily handle the half mile after having some disturbing gait problems, he could be coming back to the strong form he displayed early at two.

“Bambino” has not lived up to his touts yet but would not be a shocker if he managed to take the first jewel. “Cielo,” “Bombay” and “Pegasus,” would have to win by default.

Whichever colt takes the Trot will be the only one available to keep a 2011 Crown alive. As of now, unless any one of the contenders mentioned presented major improvements in speed and tactic, it is difficult to see the next two jewels as possible accomplishments. The Trot’s companion event is the Hudson Filly. It attracted seven soph ladies. The single sprint—worth $237,714 and set for July 9—differs in that it has a major star among

The contestants, again in alphabetical order...Angelette Hanover (Yankee Glide), Cabaret Princess Yankee Glide), Creme De Cocoa (Chocolatier), Iron Lady (Daguet Rapide), Jezzy (Credit Winner), Lady Rainbow (Muscles Yankee) and That'snotmyname Windsong’s Legacy).

The superlative Jezzy has yet to show her flaws and if they exist this better be the mile that the other six hopefuls use to find it. Jezzy has been perfect and dominates this division in a manner like See You At Peelers has dominated the soph-filly pacers.

There is still a lot of talent here, including “Crème,” though she is in and out of her own way, breaking too much at three to ever trust as we have come to trust Jezzy. None of the other gals have much to offer in past performances as sophs and only a mishap in step or fate can take Jezzy away from the winner’s circle here.

Meanwhile, six of the top contenders, including Pastor Stephen, go the night before in a $25,000 Open at the Meadowlands.

“Stephen” has post 4 coming from his first second-place finish in four outings (three wins) in the $500,000 Beal Final at Pocono. He had post 8 and lost to Dejarmbro, the talented non-hopeful. 

Starting from the rail, VC Chocoholic has three wins in six tries in his 2011 campaign and suffered from a break in his Historic mile (see above).

Post 2 has Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall), yet to finish off the board in four tries this year for trainer Noel Daley. Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall), Mythical Hall (Andover Hall) and Whit (Classic Photo) are the three outsiders.

Eligibles haunt weekend events

Saturday, June 25 at Pocono Downs, the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial Final goes for $500,000, featuring Hambo hopefuls aplenty.

Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall) will face non-eligible Dejarmbro in a strong field. The latter is not intimidated by colts aiming at the August classic, he is willing to mow down any field available. 

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) is also here, along with Big Rigs (Andover Hall), Opening Night (Broadway Hall), Leader Of The Gang (Muscles Yankee), Bambino Hall (Tom Ridge) and Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall). Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar) is an AE if there is a scratch. 

Dejarmbro has been made the favorite at a soft 5-2. “Stephen” is 3-1 and may be a bargain if anywhere near those odds.  

As well, Big Rigs on a smooth gait is a hell of a trotter and if he wakes up and takes advantage of his speed and the over-ambitious journeys of others in the field, he could ignite a great win price.  

The Grand Circuit Historic-week events for eligibles are at Tioga Downs this year and on Saturday, June 25, the spectacular Jezzy looks to enjoy another clear path heading to the Hambletonian Oaks Final.  

Jezzy (Credit Winner) is five for five and doesn’t appear to be threatened by this crew, going for $75,500 (photo left). She is beginning to look like the trotters’ version of See You At Peelers.

Don’t Cry Lindy (Chocolatier) could be her only threat, though a mild one. Also on board are eligibles Angelette Hanover (Yankee Glide), Firstclassprincess (Classic Photo), and Massive Drama (Credit Winner).

On the colt side, the $78,200 Historic features Tiger’s Too Good (Conway Hall), hot lately. Trainer Joe Holloway’s ticket to the Hambo is in better shape than the high earner Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee). That one has been off his game since a streak that included the Dexter Cup early at the beginning of the Hambo Trail season.

Also here are Winuendo (Windsong’s Legacy), Whit (Classic Photo), Live Jazz (Andover Hall), VC Chocolate (Chocolatier), Johnny B Kemp (Credit Winner) and Glidenfordollars (Glidemaster).

 
“VC” is the obvious co-contender for Trond Smedshammer’s barn. He is yet to put in a giant mile but at this point in the Trail that is not a negative factor. VC has been cashing major checks.

Ray Schnittker’s Glidenfordollars is two wins for four starts and also on the cusp of a big mile. It may not, however, be this one.

Reviews, results and archives appear at Hambletonian Society.