Miles aplenty for eligibles on tap

Sires stakes once again present Hambo-eligibles of both sexes, with divisional scenarios in New Jersey (Meadowlands) and Pennsylvania (Meadows and Harrah’s Philadelphia), along with a focused SBOA final in Ontario (Mohawk). The Hambletonian Trail herds go trotting on Friday, May 24.

A field of New Jersey Sires Stakes for colts ($33,000) and one for fillies ($34,000) are the focus at the Meadowlands. Five of six are Hambo-eligible, King Of Muscles being the odd one out.

We liked Amalfi Coast last week and stick with him for the sake of price, since Corky will be a huge choice and may have an easy go of the mile.

The fillies also have one ineligible and again we will go with the one that is not a daughter of Muscles Yankee. Southwind Cocoa has been sitting on a win and will not be the choice here. The Chocolatier femme has a good stride and some soph experience behind her now, maybe enough to take this at a decent price.

The Meadows hosts a quartet of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) with purses of $48,000 and change for colts.

Four of eight are eligibles in the first round. A lot of attention will be given to Major Athens in his second race at three but we like Brew Master. He had a tough time in his recent race from post 9 at Woodbine but should have a race more like the one before that where he won as a 48-1 shot. He won’t be that high here but he will still be worth a price.

In the next PASS we witness the return of Aperfectyankee as he debuts at three. Up against Dontyouforgetit, the Dexter Cup failed favorite, he may need a race to handle his foe and other, budding performers here. We will go with Valley Of Sin, an ineligible that has faltered from miscues but when under control seems to be under rated.

Round three is entirely Hambo-eligibles, with a lot of chances for each of the eight to improve. Dexter Cup-winning Celebrity Maserati has to deal with post 8 aside from the new competition involved. We like the chances of San Donato and hope he will be close to his morning-line odds, 8-1. Beaten as the choice in his soph debut he had excuses beyond returning to a new division. He fought from post 8 after a slow start. He should be much better here.

Only a pair of eligibles take on six state-breds in the penultimate PASS mile. Jimmy Takter’s Bluto may get a shot at racing like his April qualifier, going wire to wire after handling a lot tougher competition in the John Simpson for a piece of the purse.

Then, in the finale for the program, Arctic Tale is one of six eligibles and the one we feel may be the bargain of the day. His recent effort at the Meadows was marred by a break after a wide, early duel that failed to get the top. Ron Burke’s gelding has a lot of speed and may be best equipped to use it in this group and win at a price.

PASSes also adorn the Harrah’s Philadelphia program on May 24, these four splits going for $61,000 plus each.

In the first split we get another chance at Cupcake, the daughter of Trotting Triple Crown-winner Glidemaster. Last week she jumped at the gate and was eliminated and must be given another shot in what appears to be an easier group to handle if she stays trotting.

In round two we will take a shot with Aspidistra Hanover. Another of many Donato Hanover daughters, she was bold at 11-1 in her debut, a PASS mile where she made a huge brush and got hanged to the half. She may be raring to show more with a good trip and we would like to have her at this price.

The third split should find Frau Blucher a favorite after her first-time Lasix win last week. But we will let the fans have her and support Coffeecake Hanover, who fired quickly to duel for the lead at the Meadows’ PASS fest last week and was in a lot of trouble late in the game. That line should send her off a great price.

Defiant Donato could be one of the best fillies in this crop, certainly one of the Hambo-winner’s top sophs this season and she almost got the whole pie at the Meadows were it not for a few steps she had to race wide, surrendering to the better journey taken by non-eligible Curtsy Hanover. She will be backed heavily but here can still be an overlay.

Bee A Magician won her SBOA filly-trot elim and will be the huge favorite in the final at Mohawk this week. She is the key and we don’t expect any of her foes to upset her speed, smooth gait and obvious confidence.

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.

 

Decisive battles for both sexes north and south

H = Hambletonian eligible.  

With the elims for the Hambo and Hambo Oaks nearing, some hopefuls are all out for big checks from Canada and U.S. action on July 21. 

The Canadian Breeders Championships (CBC) offer two divisions, one for each sex, with the fields best still looking to get in the classic action at the Meadowlands. 

Leading the colt mile, worth $159,058, is Prestidigitator (H-Kadabra), the star of the three hopeful sons by Kadabra in this field. Aiming directly at the Hambo elims, this colt has been primed to cash as many bucks as possible before going to New Jersey. There might not be much of a price but he may dominate this group with ease before departing the Great White North. 

The other two are Il Mago (H-Kadabra) and Knows Nothing (H-Kadabra).  

Three filly hopefuls go in the $1,66,373 CBC final, with our choice, Miss Paris (H-Kadabra) on her mission to get back to the Meadowlands. She will have to deal with Frisky Strike (H-Striking Sahbra) and I’m On Cloud Nine (H-Angus Hall) but that may not be enough to stop her.  

Two divisions for colts and two for fillies make up the Tompkins-Geers stakes that same day in New York as Tioga Downs hosts the soph events.  

The top colt in the first $33,497 mile is the only hopeful and the best in the field, Coraggioso (H-Conway Hall). He should be out for a jog.  

In split two, worth the same amount, four of six eligibles appear for battle. We like Duluth (H-Chocolatier) of the quartet. From the inside he appears to be in a spot that can overtake the big choice, Archangel (H-Credit Winner) at a price.  

Astarisborn Hanover (H-Donato Hanover) and No Frosting (H-Credit Winner) will also ride along.  

Both filly splits are worth $33,747. The first invites Cowgirl Hall (H-Cash Hall) to win another with an easy inside trip. The other two eligibles are not of her ilk: American Lassie (H-American Mike) and Latte Hall (Conway Hall) are probably not going to show up for the big dance, in our opinion.  

Split two for the femmes has a pair of eligibles. We once again support Fancy (H-Conway Hall), although she draws outside of Lady Andi (H-Andover Hall).  

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Trotters to tango in ‘Dancer’ and ‘Miller’

H = Hambletonian eligible.

To complement the Meadowlands Pace program, the $303,500 Stanley Dancer Memorial and the $245,500 Del Miller Memorial attract the country’s top trotters to the Meadowlands on July 14.

In the first “Dancer,” Uncle Peter (H-Cantab Hall) comes off an easy winning effort in the PA All-Stars. Making his return off a layoff is Vic Smith (H-Yankee Glide). He comes off a good qualifier, finishing second to free-for-all trotter Hot Shot Blue Chip in 1:54.3. He was a little green at the beginning of the year and looks to come back sharp.  

Also with a shot is Appomattox (H-Yankee Glide). He finished fourth against older horses in a conditioned event at the Meadowlands and before that finished second to Corraggioso (H-Conway Hall) in the Dickerson Cup. This field is fairly weak and the Antonacci trainee may get his time to shine tonight.  

Also eligible are From Above (H-Donato Hanover), Dandover (H-Donato Hanover), Big Chocolate (H-Chocolatier) and Banker Volo (H-Yankee Glide).  

Possess The Will (H-Donato Hanover) and Googoo Gaagaa are stamped as likely favorites in division two. Gym Tan Laundry (H-Yankee Glide) comes off a surprising effort in the Goodtimes. He took the lead and was able to hold on to third at 161-1. As long as he gets the top or sits second, we could likely see a upset.  

Also in with a shot is Guccio (H-Yankee Glide). Although he broke against conditioned trotters last week, he has a resume of talent before that. As long as he stays flat, he will likely get a good trip and close hard.  

Also eligible are Money On My Mind (H-Cantab Hall), Epic Tale (H-Donato Hanover), Little Brown Fox (H-Muscles Yankee) and One In A Million (H-Donato Hanover).  

Check Me Out (H-Donato Hanover) headlines the Del Miller after strolling around the half-mile oval at Yonkers to smoothly win the $185,194 Hudson Filly Trot. She is listed as the one to beat and in our books (and in all books); she is the one that can’t be beat.  

But if you want to go against her or find a good horse for second, look at On The Bright Side (H-Cantab Hall). She jogged in the Pennsylvania All-Stars, winning in 1:54.3. On The Bright Side has hit her peak and should continue to provide success.  

Also watch Lady Andi (H-Andover Hall). Although she was disappointing in the Casual Breeze, she has gotten her act together. She won her Pennsylvania All-Stars for fun in 1:55.1 as the 6-5 favorite. She should be sharp and ready to trot this week.  

Also eligible are Personal Style (H-Yankee Glide), Sterling Volo (H-Donato Hanover), Win Missy B (H-Conway Hall), Superstar Hanover (H-Cantab Hall) and Quarentine S (H-Varenne).   

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Femmes fight at Yonkers

H = Hambletonian eligible.  

Three-year-old filly trotters get to joust in the limelight in the $343,268 New York Sires Stakes at Yonkers Raceway on Monday, July 2. In the four divisions, 11 fillies will be prepping for the big tango in August.  

Zanna Royal (H-RC Royalty) is the only eligible in the first division, worth $86,567. She will have to deal with Vixy, who could provide a mild upset against probable favorite Borrow And Spend, even though that one will start from post 8. 

The second division, also worth $86,567, presents two hopefuls, Anandamide (H-Credit Winner) and Lima Playmate (H-Credit Winner). Anandamide has been tough and in this group looks as good as ever. But with Lima Playmate in post 8 you could be able to pull out a decent exacta price with outsider Feegee. 

In the third division, wirth $85,067, five eligibles will contest the purse. They are For A Dancer (H-Conway Hall), Latte Hall (H-Conway Hall), Fancy (H-Conway Hall), American Lassie (H-American Mike) and The Heart Lives On (H-RC Royalty).  

For A Dancer is perfect in four starts this year and will go off the big public choice. You could take a shot at Fancy getting a ground-saving trip if positioned well early and nipping the choice at the wire. 

The final division, worth $85,067, draws three eligibles: Adriana Hanover (H-Credit Winner), Cowgirl Hall (H-Cash Hall) and Bridge The Way (H-Conway Hall).  

We have been on the side of Cowgirl Hall for a few starts but she will be a huge favorite here, making us lean to the outider Adriana Hanover. This one has had a few tough trips and may be able to put something together in this round.

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Trotters coincide on North America Cup card at Mohawk and elims at Pocono

H = Hambletonian eligible  

On the weekend of North America’s richest race for pacers, the trotters are prepping in the Earl Beal Memorial eliminations at Pocono and the finals of the Elegant Image and Goodtimes at Mohawk.  

The $530,000 Elegant Image draws an all-star group of sophomore gals on Saturday, June 16. 

Check Me Out (H-Donato Hanover) is absolutely the best horse in this field. Unless luck does not ride with her she will romp yet again and prove she can take the boys in the $1.5-million Hambletonian. Also eligible in the final are On The Bright Side (H-Cantab Hall), Win Missy B (H-Conway Hall), Maven (H-Glidemaster), Sand Violent Blue (H-Tom Ridge), Superstar Hanover (H-Cantab Hall), Valdonna (H-Andover Hall), Miss Paris (H-Kadabra) and Personal Style (H-Yankee Glide).

Anybody can tell you that Check Me Out is a great key, so here are some ideas for exotic wagers. With their outside posts, Miss Paris and Personal Style are the two best bets to complete the triactor (crisscross them in second and third positions).

Miss Paris was closing late in her elimination to pass Win Missy B and finish second to Maven. She should be able to close once again from post 9 and pump up the triactor price.

Personal Style loves to close. Its how she won the New Jersey Sires Stakes and how she was runner-up to Check Me Out. If the pace is fast or slow, I guarantee she’ll be in the top three.

The Goodtimes has a final on Saturday and a consolation on Friday, June 15.

The eligibles in the $50,000 consolation are Littlejack Hanover (H-Donato Hanover), Midfield Magic (H-Kadabra) and Southwind Warsaw (H-Chocolatier).

The consolation seems to be the race where non-eligibles have the best shot. Reckon Im Ready trotted a game mile in his elimination but came up short after the closers got to him. He took the lead and held it till the half, where he dueled with Beer Summit (H-Cantab Hall). He faded and finished seventh by 8 lengths. As long as he gets a better trip, he’ll be fine.

The $351,000 Goodtimes final looks to be the most competitive in the last couple of years. Eligible in this race are Lindys Jersey Boy (H-Cantab Hall), Il Mago (H-Kadabra), Knows Nothing (H-Kadabra), Market Share (H-Revenue S), Scary Good (H-Cantab Hall), Beer Summit, Guccio (H-Yankee Glide) and Gym Tan Laundry (H-Yankee Glide).

The two elimination winners, Market Share and Knows Nothing, are the likely two to receive favoritism. Guccio and Beer Summit will look for redemption after finishing second in their eliminations.

Guccio trotted a game first over mile to come up short in the stretch and Knows Nothing took that elimination. If Guccio can get cover or a pocket trip, he’s an easy winner.

Beer Summit went first over and brushed to take the lead. He lost it in the stretch to Market Share and settled for second. He also needs a better trip to triumph in the Canadian final.

Also for glamour-boy trotting colts this weekend is the $50,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial eliminations at Pocono Downs. This also attracted some familiar faces.

In the first elim, Modern Family (H-Cantab Hall), Solvato (H-Donato Hanover), Magic Tonight (H-Andover Hall), Frost Bites K (H-Broadway Hall), Highland Yankee (H-Muscles Yankee) and Little Brown Fox (H-Muscles Yankee) are eligible for the August classic.

Frost Bites K will likely be ignored in this elimination. He romped in the Currier & Ives at the Meadows in his last start. Although it was a field of nobodies, he still showed much talent in that mile. He has not been getting the respect he deserves lately, so he should be equally as good this week and an overlay to boot.

The second elimination features a lot of very classy glamour boys. Eligible in this elim are Stormin Normand (H-Broadway Hall), Lightning Storm (H-Donato Hanover), My Mvp (H-Cantab Hall), Uncle Peter (H-Cantab Hall), Money On My Mind (H-Cantab Hall), Dandover (H-Donato Hanover) and Nothing But Class (H-Andover Hall).

Uncle Peter is the likely favorite. Stormin Normand and My Mvp will give him a race for the money. Stormin Normand was second to Uncle Peter in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes a while back. If he gets the right trip, he’ll be able to pass Uncle Peter at the wire.

My Mvp won a Pennsylvania Sires Stake, beating Goodtimes hopeful Beer Summit. If he gets a perfect trip, there will be spoils for the choices in this elim.

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Battles over each borders for soph trotters

H = Hambletonian eligible.

As June dawns, a few major events host glamour boy and girl trotters, many pumping for the August classics. At Mohawk on June 1, two divisions of the Casual Breeze host fillies.

Back in America that same day, a pair of elims for each sex will set the fields for the lucrative Empire Breeders Classics (EBC) next week at Vernon Downs.

New Jersey Sires Stakes finals at the Meadowlands are the features Saturday, June 2.

In the first Casual Breeze division, worth $79,519, Win Missy B (H-Conway Hall) looks to bowl over this group in her debut at three. However, more interesting to us is the return of Miss Paris (H-Kadabra), who we successfully tabbed at two.

Miss Paris looks ready to show her age, so to speak, and her maturity after a strong qualifier at the Meadowlands. She is blue-blooded material and should be a major player this season. Why she is 7-1 on the morning line is a mystery but a joy if it comes true.

The second split, worth $81,020, suggests a three-way favorite pool featuring Idonette (H-Donato Hanover), Lovely Vacation and Frisky Strike (H-Striking Sahbra). However, if Idonette is offered as the third choice of this trio, value is blossoming.

We gave you her when she won at the Meadows and there is no reason she will let up from that kind of performance here. She is quite a classy character and her Meadows win was quite impressive, no less compared to the efforts of this group thus far.

At Vernon, the EBC elims are only worth $12,500 each but they are worth the effort to get into the lucrative finals the following week.

In the first colt division, No Frosting (H-Credit Winner) will settle for second or third choice to Flyhawk Jester (H-RC Royalty) and that would make him the bet. Don’t worry about his speed offerings, they are moot at this point; he deserves the respect to improve and we would like to cash in on that before the public joins the club. (Getting George Brennan in the bike is a strong plus, though it may affect the odds.)

The second split is one tough affair. Delano (H-Credit Winner) is the default favorite but by no means a trot-away winner here. Coraggioso (H-Conway Hall) may not get the respect he deserves and topple the field. He has to contend with more than Delano, however, with Southwind Austin (H-Conway Hall), Archangel (H-Credit Winner) and Royal Shyster (H-RC Royalty) impossible to dismiss. 

In the filly elims, Anandamile (H-Credit Winner) scored with power in her state-bred outing at Saratoga and needs a lot of attention here, certainly at her morning-line offering.

The second elim for the gals may also produce a bargain bet in Cowgirl Hall (H-Cash Hall). She is on a specific roll and can make this a romp.

Saturday’s NJSS finals at the Meadowlands are each worth $150,000. The colt’s division is an early test of much talent, with a field of 10 strong cases.

Barring any breaks, this mile could require a bit of shuffling, as a premium may be placed on the speed factor. Which of these guys does not want the lead as a tool to win? Value-wise, it seems obvious that Gym Tan Laundry (H-Yankee Glide) strikes a betting position, which is good (10-1 morning line), especially since he could be the one to take advantage of shuffling and speed duels, should they ensue. That is the best scenario for taking on this group in a mile that could spark some jumping and traffic. 

The fillies don’t look as competitive as the colts and a score of miscues make it difficult to trust many of them. Still, all things being equal, Vanity Treasure (H-Muscles Yankee) and Sassy Syrinx (H-Yankee Glide) stand out for us.  

The former won last week by only a neck but that doesn’t mean she got lucky. When flat, Vanity Treasure has more talent than luck and is a contender under most circumstances. As for the latter, the lightly raced Sassy Syrinx has proven that she is serious about this season and can put on the gas with square-legged swiftness.  

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Meadows features filly divisions

(H= Hambletonian eligible)

At the Meadows this Tuesday, May 15, soph- filly trotters take to the track in a quartet of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) divisions and among them are 17 aiming at the Hambletonian Oaks.

One in particular, Check Me Out (H-Donato Hanover) may be heading for the main contest against the boys. Trainer Ray Schnittker has not ruled out the chance that this filly, a winner of almost a million at two and 14 of her 16 races, will take on colts in the Hambo.

This division will offer many wagering opportunities as the weeks go on, mostly due to the sires stakes schedules that allow them to compete for major money while trotting their way through the racing months prior to August. We will be covering the state-bred races that include Hambo eligibles in all of the state-and-province programs where they appear. 

The Meadows will host a slew of PASS events for both the divisions, including a six-digit final for each, as the season ensues. While fighting for berths in the two major events in August, all of the horses in these events make the races competitive and rife for wagering.

In the first division, Race 2 at the Meadows on May 15, we like By A Nose Hanover (H-Cantab Hall). Todd Schadel’s local filly is improving at the rate we like to see this time of year and being staked to the main state-bred contest means Schadel has great hope in her. She broke at Pocono last out as a dead-on choice but cannot be disqualified in this group for a miscue like that.  

Certainly, Jimmy Takter’s Superstar Hanover (H-Cantab Hall) will be the choice in this, the colt’s debut at three. This is when we like to beat the returning frosh champs, though, and go for the price.

Also in the race on the trail are Touch Of Class (H-Broadway Hall) and Temple Blue Chip (H-Cantab Hall).

In division 2, Race 4, Sand Violent Blu (H-Tom Ridge) returns to the track at three for trainer Tye Loy. Last year, the state-bred champ won seven of nine with a front-trotting style that was frosh-quick for sure. 

Our eyes are on the value expected from Idonette (H-Donato Hanover). Trainer Henrik Lundell keeps John Campbell aboard this lightly raced filly to face the best of the state and the team seems perfect. Campbell rates well and this gal has a huge brush that can turn into two moves to make her a major “Oaks” contender and threat to the richer among the group.  

Also in the race on the trail are Keystone Tempo (H-Cantab Hall), Read Babe (H-Donato Hanover), Bluff (H-Donato Hanover) and Valdonna (H-Andover Hall). 

In the third division, Race 3, the pools will be packed with the Takter-Dave Palone morning-line choice, On The Bright Side (H-Cantab Hall).  

However, Voluptuous Ronda (H-Broadway Hall) deserves attention, even after a break in her seasonal debut and one in her qualifier at Philadelphia. John Campbell will take the reins for the first time on the Nicholas Surick-trained gal and he has the experience to gather her gait and get out of her what was expected even this early in the season. 

This is a filly that at two won a Matron elim and almost took the final at 166-1. She was scratched sick for her debut at three and then the two breaks make her look like a toss out hereany sane handicapper in the world. Our “insane” notion of trying to pick up a great price based on a proven horse has brought us profit before and we will be glad to ride along with Mr. Campbell on this one as opposed to going with the obvious.

Also in the race on the trail is Blue Yonder (H-Tom Ridge). 

Finally the fourth division, Race 9, marks the return of Check Me Out. (She, by the way, is the filly that Voluptuous Ronda followed to be second in the Matron at 166-1.)  

Perhaps this is a better pass (no pun intended) than a play but the mere presence of Check Me Out raises the odds of the Lady Suffolk winner, Cocktail Attire. She has already won at the Meadows this year, has won four of five this year and has got the momentum that Check Me Out does not have opening her season.  

Also in the race on the trail are Summer Blush (H-Tom Ridge) and Playwear Hanover (H-Andover Hall). 

Two hopefuls take part in the Pennsylvania Stallion Stakes Series the day before the PASS at the Meadows. Sandra Volo (H-Cantab Hall) and Magical Affair (H-Glidemaster) participate in separate $20,000 divisions. 

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.  

Eligibles spread out for holiday weekend

The July 4^th holiday weekend has a bunch of mild affairs in store for Hambo or “Oaks” eligibles.  

As Canada finishes celebrating its 144^th birthday, July 2 presents Ontario Sires Stakes (ONSS) at Georgian Downs that include some Oaks eligibles.  

In one of the three $40,000 eliminations for the ONSS Final, Attorney Hanover (Angus Hall) comes from the second tier, post 11. She is the only Oaks hopeful in the field.  

The second elim is free of eligibles but the third one has a trio. Oh Sweet Baby (Angus Hall), Mary’s Out Cruisin (Here Comes Herbie) and LA Freeway (Kadabra) are all province-breds competing on the circuit’s highest prized events. Keep and eye on “Freeway,” as Kadabra fillies have proven to be quite competitive on their own turf.  

That same evening at the Meadowlands, a field of colt eligibles battle in a $25,000 Open Trot. Here, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide), pictured on left, returns to battle with his own division after taking on older guys in New Jersey.  

Winuendo (Windsong’s Legacy) looks to earn more to get into the final month’s group of prospects, as does Rarely Ordinary (Conway Hall).  

Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar) was the recipient of a win in a chaotic race, giving him a clear-sailing trip to win at high odds at the Meadows. He will need to perform with less luck to stay in the best company of this division. Not Nice (Glidemaster) is also struggling and up against deep competition here.  

Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide), however, has lost on his own cognition, breaking stride being his biggest enemy. On his best behavior he has a very good shot to beat “Man,” who will no doubt be a huge favorite.  

On July 4^th at Chester Downs, filly trotters with eyes on August compete in three Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS), each worth more than $66,000.  

Pantholops (Andover Hall) is yet to win in four starts, placing in three. Broadway Starlet (Broadway Hall) joins the trio of eligibles in the first split. She has two wins in seven starts and is the best chance for an upset here. Cedar Dove (Andover Hall) could be a second choice in the field.  

The second PASS split features Pacific Splash (American Winner), who has trailed off since her early season success. Lady Andover (Andover Hall) has some work to do, as the other two hopefuls bring in a bundle of bankroll earnings.  

Hot Off The Press (Cantab Hall) and Celebrity Katie (SJ’s Caviar) have shown some life that has earned them some clear paths to August. More earnings in theirs accounts is the goal in this event.  

Upsetting recently in state-bred action, Bold And Fresh (SJ’s Caviar) is the only eligible in the last of the three splits. She should be the favorite here and may tower over this group.

Weekend trots on fire at Mohawk

Friday, June 17, Mohawk’s overture for the big “Cup” program the following night features soph-colt trotters in the $50,000 Goodtimes Consolation. In the race, the likely favorite will be Daylon Magician, a non-eligible, since he was 1-9 last time out.

But the horse that may not get the play he deserves will be Just In (Andover Hall). He left from the 8 hole in his Goodtimes elim and got a spot mid pack. He came moving just too late to catch a fading Whiskey Tax (Revenue S) and didn’t make the final. Other eligibles in this mile include Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster) and EL Rock (Yankee Glide)

Saturday, June 18 starts with the $519,000 Elegant Image Final for some “Oaks”-eligibles. It looks as if Crys Dream (Taurus Dream) will be the obvious fan favorite and is certainly the one to beat. If you want to key her, use watch Lady Rainbow (Muscles Yankee). She is still an improving horse and may have a shot here, so consider a win bet, too. This teeters on a pass. 

Also aiming at the Oaks in this field are Oh Sweet Baby (Angus Hall), Iron Lady (Daguet Rapide), Seducedbychocolate (Chocolatier), Cedar Dove (Andover Hall) and on the also-eligible list is eligible Crème De Cocoa (Chocolatier).

In the $347,000 Goodtimes Final, Blue Porsche (Glidemaster) and VC Chocoholic (Chocolatier) will get all the money.

But one that will be ignored is not a Hambo hopeful. We like the chances of a non-hopefull, Mr Joe Sixpack to upset. He dueled for the front at the quarter and then went first over at three-quarters to finish third.

Also in the mix with Hambo dreams is Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee).

Reviews, results and archives at the home page of Hambletonian Society.

Currier & Ives, et al for eligibles

On Monday, June 6, nine trotters, six of whom are Hambletonian eligibles, will contest in the $125,000 Currier & Ives at The Meadows.  

There is no clear favorite in the Currier & Ives. But based on the morning line, it may be Not Nice (Glidemaster).  

Also in this field are hopefuls Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar), Glidenfordollars (Glidemaster), Mythical Hall (Andover Hall) and Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall).  

Buffalino Hanover may be the one the public ignores based on his post. He may bring some value from the 9 hole, plus he is not going against as tough of company as he has recently. He lost to Pastor Stephen, Opening Night and Orlando in the two Pennsylvania Sires Stakes. Knowing this horse, he may finally get a rest from higher class and may trot the best he has all year. Good in the exotics would be Glidenfordollars.  

At Yonkers that same day, “Oaks”-eligible Medust Blue Chip (Credit Winner) takes on non-eligibles in a New York Sires Stakes mile worth $46,102.

In another division, Pretty As My Mom (Conway Hall) and Ima Que T (Dream Vacation) also look to improve their bankrolls against non-hopefuls.


Results, reviews and archives are available at Hambletonian Society pages.

Dexter Cup, Lady Suffolk Present New Divisions

The Grand Circuit for 2011 launches with the Lady Suffolk (May 6) and The Dexter Cup (May 7) at Freehold Raceway.

This is the first edition of our look at eligibles for the August classics for three-year-old trotters: the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks. For all of the week's racing, see our harness blog at TwinSpires.

The $160,850 Dexter Cup, this year without elims, previews six possible Hambletonian stars in a field of eight fresh soph-colt trotters. 

The six Hambo-eligibles in the “Dexter” include colts that made some noise at two, as well as four of them are sired by Hambletonian champions.

Whitewater Rapids is one of a trio in the field trained by Ray Schnittker, no stranger to the “Trail” over the past few years. “Rapids” placed in the New York Sires Stakes Championship for two-year-old trotters to Dejarmbro, a powerhouse frosh trotter of 2010 who is not on the Trail. Rapids is a son of Credit Winner, a mighty Empire State sire that does not have a Hambo victory on his pedigree page.

Schnittker also brings in Winuendo to the Dexter. This colt is one of the final products of the ill-fated sire Windsong’s Legacy, the trotter that won the trotting triple crown. Schnittker’s other son-of-a-Hambo-winner is Musclelaneous, sired by the productive Muscles Yankee.

Other eligibles include Buzz Bomb (Windsong’s Legacy), trained by Jim Meittinis, and Jimmy Takter’s Gordo Hall, by Tom Ridge (a failed Hambo favorite), as well as Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee) from the Charlie Norris team.

Hopeless for the Hambo are two ineligibles, Justa Jersey Boy and Marcus Bi.

This is a difficult race to handicap, since the outsiders tend to be the colts that have already raced this year but have not faced the likes of the freshmen returning as sophomores to the stakes scene. Neither can you rely upon the strength of trainers to hoist a colt to sudden stardom in this event. Rarely has the Dexter been a showcase for a colt that went on to win the Hambo.

Also, this is the Freehold half-mile hosting the race and these colts can easily stammer along the four-turn trip, especially those leaving from the outside. This is why we are particularly high on Whitewater Rapids, who leaves from post 5 with Tim Tetrick, not trainer Schnittker.

The Credit Winners have produced a lot of half-mile trotters, having raced on the New York circuit more than the progeny of other sires mentioned above. The colt that defeated Rapids at the end of 2010, Dejarmbro, could destroy this field on paper, so it is no stretch to imagine Rapids conquering this event.

If he is coming back with the use of all “cylinders,” Rapid could be the early hero of this division. All the horses that could possibly be better are behind him in post position, so that edge also belongs to him.

The Lady Suffolk will be contested in two divisions, each worth $39,825. In the mix there is only a trio of “Oaks”-eligible fillies. They are: Pacific Splash (post 4 in division one) and Don’t Cry Lindy (post 3) and Sheer Glide (post 6) in division two.

Pacific Splash’s sire is American Winner, who oddly enough was one of the last colts to win the Dexter and go on to win the Hambo. She comes from the Norris barn and is the focus of this field for us.

Don’t Cry Lindy, from post 3, is a young filly by Chocolatier, a sire we touted last season successfully as a strong producer of sharp fillies. This is the choice here, no doubt, since Sheer Glide (by Yankee Glide) gets the outside post 6. These two offer low-priced payouts but must be respected as they make their start on the Hambletonian Trail in a crowded division.