Nordic Catcher S leads field home to win 100th hambletonian

The $1-million Hambletonian, America’s premier trotting race, will celebrate its 100th edition on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ. FanDuel, the largest advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platform in the United States, will serve as the presenting sponsor for the milestone event.

The 100th Hambletonian, presented by FanDuel, will headline a stakes-loaded race card and be nationally televised on FOX Sports and CBS Sports Network.

First contested in 1926, the Hambletonian was created by the Hambletonian Society to promote the Standardbred trotting breed. Over the past century, it has endured through rain delays, economic shifts, venue changes, world wars and a global pandemic to consistently crown the champion trotter of the year.

FanDuel, a dominant force in New Jersey’s sports-wagering landscape, owns and operates FanDuel TV, a channel synonymous with delivering racing excellence for the past quarter century, and the FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands – the top-performing sportsbook in North America.

“It’s only fitting that the track’s two biggest partners team up for the 100th anniversary of the Hambletonian,” said Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “New Jersey’s No. 1 sportsbook partnering with the world’s No. 1 trotting race is a match made in wagering heaven.”

The Hambletonian has been hosted by The Meadowlands since 1981, the longest-running venue for the sought-after event. New Jersey is also a pioneer state for sports wagering, with a victorious 2018 legislative battle ending the ban on sports betting, opening a new frontier for the Meadowlands Racing and Gaming/FanDuel partnership, both the premier organizations in their respective brands.

“We are proud to be able to celebrate the 100th edition of the Hambletonian with the Meadowlands and FanDuel,” said Hambletonian Society President and Chief Executive Officer John Campbell.  “The Hambletonian has only grown in purse, prestige and stature since the move to the Meadowlands in 1981, and this will be the biggest event to date.”

Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands is consistently the highest-handling event in harness racing, generating more than $107 million in single-day wagering since 2010. This year’s 100th celebration will feature a Hambletonian Homecoming Party, autograph sessions by alumni and today’s racetrack stars, appearances by past Hambletonian winners, a commemorative book, memorabilia displays and much more.

FanDuel will be the presenting sponsor of the Hambletonian Winter Book Favorites, the FanDuel Road to the Hambletonian and the 100th Hambletonian broadcast on CBS Sports Network. 

 -endit-

Meadowlands/Hambletonian Society files

About FanDuel Group

 FanDuel Group is the premier mobile gaming company in the United States. FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands across mobile wagering including, America’s #1 Sportsbook FanDuel Sportsbook, its leading iGaming platform FanDuel Casino, the industry’s unquestioned leader in horse racing and advance-deposit wagering, FanDuel Racing and its daily fantasy sports product. In addition, FanDuel Group operates FanDuel TV, its broadly distributed linear cable television network and FanDuel TV+, its leading direct-to-consumer OTT platform. FanDuel Group has a presence across all 50 states with approximately 17 million customers and 25 retail locations. The company is based in New York with offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Jersey City, as well as in Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Australia. FanDuel Group is a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, the world's largest sports betting and gaming operator with a portfolio of globally recognized brands and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: FLUT).

About the Hambletonian Society

The Hambletonian Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1924 to sponsor the race for which it was named, the Hambletonian Stake. The Society’s mission is to encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration and promotion of harness racing stakes, early-closing races and other special events. 

The Hambletonian Society manages 161 of harness racing’s most prestigious events, held across 13 North American racetracks under seven state jurisdictions. This includes the $1M Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year at The Meadowlands, and the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks. The Society is also responsible for overseeing the $7M Breeders Crown, the sport’s premier championship series.

In addition, the Hambletonian Society is responsible for the oversight of more than $25M annually, in the administration of a wide range of stakes and early-closing races. These events are funded through eligibility payments from breeders and owners, as well as sponsorships from race tracks.

By Kimberly French for the Hambletonian Society

Horses are named long before their careers commence, but on occasion humans hit the bullseye and Aperfect Annie’s team threw the perfect dart. The filly will take on nine rivals on Saturday (Aug. 2) at The Meadowlands in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and demonstrate her prowess.

“She is just so laid back,” said trainer/co-owner Carter Pinske. “She makes me look good as a trainer.”

The sophomore daughter of Googoo Gaagaa-Asixpakfromperfect (Todd McCarthy) will leave from post position seven in Saturday’s classic event for her age, gait and division. The filly is 20-1 on the morning line after finishing third in her $50,000 Hambletonian Oaks elimination behind favored Conversano (Andrew McCarthy) and R Charm (Scott Zeron).

“She may not have the ability to sprint, but she is a grinder, and she always shows up,” Pinske said. “We always have confidence in her.”

Aperfect Annie is the 10th foal from her dam and the fourth of that mare’s offspring to earn more than $100,000 in purse money. She is a half-sibling to 2012 Peter Haughton Memorial victor Aperfectyankee ($588,369), A Perfect Gem ($192,986) and A Perfect Helen ($187,530).

The filly was selected by Pinske, Melvin Hartman and Andray Farm for $70,000 at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. She was bred by Robert Detweiler.

After collecting $387,860, with a resume of 14-5-4-1 including a state championship and a berth in the Hambletonian Oaks, it appears that check returned a significant return on its investment.

“I think maybe the mare (Asixpakfromperfect) was a little older and she had not thrown a really big-name horse,” Pinske said. “But this filly comes from a very solid family, and we were pleased to get her.”

And rightly so.

Aperfect Annie finished second in her first two Kentucky Sire Stakes events at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel in July of last year. The filly, however, broke her maiden in style after a change of scenery in the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile.

She upset the previously undefeated Kentucky Sire Stakes competitor, Yo Tillie, by a neck on Aug. 12, 2024, and came home first over that foe in the $400,000 Championship Series Final on Sept. 15.

Aperfect Annie kicked off 2025 with two triumphs at the aforementioned Oak Grove prior to an eighth-placed-seventh finish in the $141,000 Delvin Miller Memorial at The Meadowlands on July 12.

“We found out she was sick and maybe may have bled a little, so we treated her,” Pinske said. “She was much better in the Oaks elimination, and we think after working on her she will be sitting on a big mile for the final.

“It’s also nice to be a little under the radar coming into the race. It takes some of the pressure off.”

If Aperfect Annie hits the line in front it would be the first Hambletonian Oaks trophy for her trainer, who also has Go Dog Go  in the $1 million Hambletonian, starting from post position 10. The son of Greenshoe-Primary Target is 10-1 on the morning line.

Pinske is no stranger to Grand Circuit triumphs with fillies as he conditioned 2023 Kentucky Futurity Filly winner Mommamia Volo and was co-owner on dual Breeders Crown victor Amigo Volo, who also captured the 2020 Kentucky Futurity.

“We are just pleased for the opportunity,” Pinske said. “All you can do is get them ready and place them in the race. The horses do all the rest.”

The Hambletonian Oaks will be shown live on FOX Sports and is the 10th race on a stakes-laden card with a post time of 3:37 p.m. (EDT). FOX Sports will broadcast from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT).

For free program information please click here.

Field for Hambletonian Oaks

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS1 – Miss Belmar – Andy McCarthy – Noel Daley – 5-22 – Deja Blu – Yannick Gingras – Nancy Takter – 5-13 – Sound Judgement – Kevin Oscarsson – Jim Oscarsson – 20-14 – R Charm – Dave Miller – Linda Toscano – 10-15 – Delaney Hanover – Scott Zeron – Lucas Wallin – 3-16 – Conversano – James MacDonald – Juan Cano – 9-27 – Aperfect Annie – Todd McCarthy – Carter Pinske – 20-18 – Walspea – Trond Smedshammer – Trond Smedshammer – 12-19 – Champagne Problems – Dexter Dunn – Nancy Takter – 6-110 – Torrisi – Tim Tetrick – Nancy Takter – 20-1

By Kimberly French for The Hambletonian Society

When Hambletonian morning-line favorite Super Chapter went through the auction ring at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, he looked like he could be a champion and fetched a $300,000 price.

“He had it all as far as pedigree and his looks go,” said Jeffrey Snyder, who shares ownership of Super Chapter with Arthur Pronti and Hanover Shoe Farms. “His mother (Lifetime Pursuit) did win the Hambletonian Oaks, and he did have class about him.”

In training with Marcus Melander, Super Chapter quickly returned dividends. He was second in his career debut on June 24, 2024, in a $78,700 leg of the New York Sire Stakes at Saratoga behind the Ake Svanstedt trained, steered and favored Mr Mouton.

Super Chapter broke his maiden in his next engagement at Vernon Downs on July 4, 2024, prior to collecting his second victory at Yonkers Raceway on July 25. Melander then shipped his charge to compete in the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile where he collected his third consecutive triumph in a second $80,000 leg of that event on Aug. 5.

The colt came home third in as the favorite in the third leg of that series on Aug. 18 with regular pilot Dexter Dunn at the controls. He then finished seventh in the $225,000 New York Sire Stakes Final for his age, gait and sex on Sept. 7 after making a break behind the gate.

Upon his return to the Bluegrass, Super Chapter rebounded with a triumph over Go Dog Go, who he will face yet again this weekend in the Hambletonian, in a convincing 1:52.1 performance.

Super Chapter then collected another victory in a $60,000 division of the International Stallion Stake over fellow Hambletonian competitor Maximus Mearas S in 1:52. That foe turned the tables on Super Chapter in their $25,000 Breeders Crown elimination at The Meadowlands on Oct. 19. The colt would finish an even fifth in the $700,000 final the following week with David Miller in the bike behind defending champion 2-year-old Maryland, Maximus Mearas S, Go Dog Go and Blank. All of whom he will face again in the Hambletonian starting gate.

Super Chapter concluded his freshman campaign with a second to Monseratte as the favorite in the $447,000 Valley Victory Final on Nov. 30 at The Meadowlands. For his 2-year-old season the colt possessed a resume of 11-5-2-1 and banked $521,260.

Did he require a little time off to grow into himself for his sophomore campaign? Maybe so, as Super Chapter is a perfect five-for-five this season, including a victory over stablemate and New York champion, Variegated, in the $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot, the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, on June 27, a $119,500 division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 13 in a lifetime best 1:50.3, and his $83,550 Hambletonian elimination last week while never seriously challenged.

Snyder has been involved in harness racing decades at an elite level and is primarily known for his ownership of pacers. In fact, Snyder has collected trophies for many of the harness racing’s most prestigious events while owning and breeding some fabulous horses.

The list includes:  Rocknroll Hanover ($2,754,038), Well Said ($2,569,342), Cam’s Card Shark ($2,498,204), Royal Flush Hanover ($2,153,893), Michaels Power ($1,908,226), Village Jolt ($1,634,220), Dealt A Winner ($1,513,258), Aetos Kronos ($1,347,000), Michelle’s Power ($1,287,371), Mac’s Jackpot ($1,008,229), Red River Hanover ($965,426), Million Dollar Cam ($880,255), Beyond Delight ($875,784), Michael’s Marvel ($831,828), Date Night Hanover ($800,636) and Alexas Power ($762,666).

Their stakes wins include four North America Cups, three Meadowlands Paces, three Little Brown Jugs, three editions of the Adios, two Metros Paces and number of Breeders Crowns.

A resident of New York City, Snyder has owned two Horses of the Year: the pacers Cam’s Card Shark and Rocknroll Hanover.

Snyder, however, has recently been focusing his purchasing power and selective eye on trotters. Naturally, he has a solid foundation for that decision.

“I met trainer Jerry Riordan several years ago,” he said. “Jerry is an American trainer based in Europe that has enjoyed great success, primarily in Italy and Sweden, for my son Michael. Michael really enjoys European racing and I understand why as horses seem to have much more longevity there.

“We have a horse, Aetos Kronos, who earned $1.34 million in Europe, and we have brought him here to race. We are very excited to see how he will perform and we really enjoy the fact trotters possess a much greater audience world-wide.”

Snyder also continues to invest in the future as he owns Apex (Walner-Mission Brief, $525,000 2024 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale) and Spencer Hanover (Chapter Seven-Secret Passion, $450,000, 2024 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale). Secret Passion is a half sibling to In Secret (Deweycheatumnhowe, $981,036) and to three-time Dan Patch Award  winner and world champion Manchego (Muscle Hill, $3.14 million).

“We’ll just take it one race at a time,” Snyder said in regards to a path to the Triple Crown. “Simply being in the Hambletonian is so thrilling with Super Chapter. I can’t imagine how exciting it would be to win a Trotting Triple Crown. These are the kinds of races you dream about winning when you become involved in this industry. The horses are what makes those dreams come true.”

The Hambletonian will be race 12 with a post time of 4:47 p.m. (EDT). Racing will begin at noon.The stakes-laden card, including the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks (Race 10, 3:37 p.m. (EDT), will be shown on FOX Sports from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  

For free program information please click here.

Following is the field for Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian in post-position order with drivers, trainers and morning-line odds.

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS1 – Meshuggah – Bjorn Goop – Marcus Melander – 20-12 – Super Chapter – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander – 5-23 – Emoticon Legacy – Louis Roy – Luc Blais – 4-14 – Maryland – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander – 3-15 – Maximus Mearas S – Scott Zeron – Lucas Wallin – 6-16 – Nordic Catcher S – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 9-27 – Gap Kronos S – Tim Tetrick – Ake Svanstedt – 20-18 – Blank – Andrew McCarthy – Marcus Melander – 25-19 – Greenma – Trond Smedshammer – Trond Smedshammer – 25-110 – Go Dog Go – Todd McCarthy – Carter Pinske – 10-1

John Fodera has gone to the winner’s circle twice as an owner of a Hambletonian Stakes champion. He hopes on Saturday to make that trip again, this time following the Hambletonian Oaks.

Full Story CLICK HERE

Super Chapter, a colt who is undefeated in five starts this year, is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the field of 10 contesting the 100th edition of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands racetrack on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Despite his undefeated record in 2025, Super Chapter will have a new driver for the Hambletonian. When his regular driver, Dexter Dunn, opted to drive Maryland—last year’s 2-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year—Super Chapter was paired with Yannick Gingras, who won last year’s Hambletonian with the colt Karl.

“I learned I might have a chance to drive either Super Chapter or Maryland last Saturday, after the Hambletonian eliminations,” Gingras shared. “Marcus (trainer Marcus Melander) told me he had to talk to the owners of each horse first, and if they were OK with me, then Dexter would get first choice and I would drive the horse he didn’t pick. Then Sunday night, when I was racing in Lexington (KY), he told me I would have the chance to drive one of those two, but I wouldn’t know which one until Dexter made his decision about who he would drive. I committed to drive if I got one of those horses.”

Gingras sees the Hambletonian as a very competitive race.

“I have thought all along that it is a six-horse race,” he said. “And then the top contenders all drew well for post positions, except for Go Dog Go. Everybody knows how hard it is to win the Hambletonian.”

As is often typical for driving a horse in a top race, Gingras will not have a pre-race strategy. Melander said Super Chapter is an easy horse to drive.

“He is a horse than can do it [win] from anywhere,” said Marcus Melander. “He can come from off the pace, he can be close up. He just is push-button and does anything you ask him to do. He can also do it on any type of track and he has proven that.”

Gingras said that two days before the Hambletonian, he watched replays of all of Super Chapter’s races.

“I have raced against him, but watching the replays, just focusing on him, I loved what I saw,” said Gingras. “I talked to Scotty Zeron (the only person besides Dunn to previously drive Super Chapter) and he said he’s like driving a sports car.”

Although trained by Melander, a Swede, Super Chapter is owned by Americans Jeffrey Snyder, Arthur Pronti and Hanover Shoe Farms, which also bred the colt. Super Chapter is a son of 2012 Horse of the Year Chapter Seven, and his dam is the 2014 Hambletonian Oaks winner Lifetime Pursuit. With his pedigree and physique, Hanover sold Super Chapter as a yearling for $300,000.

In early July, Hanover Shoe Farms, the perennial leading breeder of Standardbred horses, bought back an interest in Super Chapter, obviously interested in acquiring a stallion for breeding purposes. Hanover is also the leading breeder of Hambletonian winners with 11 champions hailing from the Pennsylvania nursery.

Melander is hoping one of his four Hambletonian entries will give him first victory in the race on Saturday.

“I think we have him in great condition with for this race. He’s not a big horse but he’s so well put together and well-gaited he looks larger on the track. I’m really looking forward to to Saturday.”

The Hambletonian will be race 12 with a post time of 4:47 p.m. (EDT). Racing will begin at noon.The stakes-laden card, including the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks (Race 10, 3:37 p.m. (EDT), will be shown on FOX Sports from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  

For free program information please click here.

Following is the field for Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian in post-position order with drivers, trainers and morning-line odds.

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS1 – Meshuggah – Bjorn Goop – Marcus Melander – 20-12 – Super Chapter – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander – 5-23 – Emoticon Legacy – Louis Roy – Luc Blais – 4-14 – Maryland – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander – 3-15 – Maximus Mearas S – Scott Zeron – Lucas Wallin – 6-16 – Nordic Catcher S – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 9-27 – Gap Kronos S – Tim Tetrick – Ake Svanstedt – 20-18 – Blank – Andrew McCarthy – Marcus Melander – 25-19 – Greenma – Trond Smedshammer – Trond Smedshammer – 25-110 – Go Dog Go – Todd McCarthy – Carter Pinske – 10-1

A trainer has won both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks on the same day on four occasions, and a driver has accomplished the feat three times, but never have a trainer and driver done it together. Lucas Wallin and Scott Zeron are among those who have the chance Saturday to become the first.

Full Story CLICK HERE

The road to the Hambletonian sometimes requires a crazy route. But it’s a safe bet Hall of Fame driver Trevor Ritchie is the only person that got there after quitting over the very same race – dispelling the old adage that quitters never prosper.

Full Story CLICK HERE

Trond Smedshammer has won both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks during his career – one of 12 trainers to accomplish that feat – and he will have the opportunity to add to his trophy collection Saturday when he sends out a horse in each of those trotting classics for 3-year-olds at The Meadowlands.

Full Story CLICK HERE

The HarnessRacing.com Preview Show, presented by the Standardbred Horse Sales Company, will be live from The Meadowlands on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. for the 100th edition of the Hambletonian.

Hosted by Wendy Ross and Emily Gaskin, the show can be seen on U.S. Trotting Association social media platforms: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

The show will include special features on the Hambletonian Society and their staff, trainer Marcus Melander as well as a guest from the connections of a key Hambletonian contender.

The USTA would like to thank participating sponsors VIP Stable, Winbak Farm, Hambletonian Society and Standardbred Transition Alliance.

The remaining schedule of HarnessRacing.com Preview Shows, presented by the Standardbred Horse Sales Company, is as follows:

Saturday, August 2 – 100th Hambletonian (Live from the Meadowlands at 11 a.m.)
Thursday, September 11 – MGM Yonkers International Trot
Sunday, October 5 – Kentucky Futurity (Live from the Red Mile)
Wednesday, October 22 – Breeders Crown

MGM Yonkers Trot winner Super Chapter, Dan Patch and O’Brien awards winner Maryland, and multiple stakes winners Emoticon Legacy and Go Dog Go were among 21 horses entered Tuesday for the 100th edition of the Hambletonian Stakes for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands.

Three $83,550 eliminations will be held Saturday (July 26) at The Big M. The top three finishers from each elim plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings will advance to the $1 million Grade 1 Hambletonian final on Aug. 2.

Elim winners will draw for post positions one through six followed by the remaining finalists receiving their posts in an open draw. The draws for the Hambletonian and companion filly event, the $500,000 Grade 1 Hambletonian Oaks, will be conducted July 29 during a luncheon hosted by Carson Kressley from 2-5 p.m. at The Chateau Grande in East Brunswick, N.J.

Twenty-three horses entered the Hambletonian Oaks, resulting in three $50,000 eliminations Saturday at The Meadowlands. As with the Hambletonian, the top three finishers from each group plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings will advance to the $500,000 final on Aug. 2.

Super Chapter, the No. 1-ranked horse in Meadowlands announcer/analyst Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian, and Maryland were among five trotting colts entered by trainer Marcus Melander. The others were Battle of Bunker Hill winner Variegated, Blank and Meshuggah.

Unbeaten in four races this year, Super Chapter won the first jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown, the Yonkers Trot, in June at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The Hambletonian is the second jewel, followed by the Kentucky Futurity in October. Nine horses have captured the Trotting Triple Crown since its inception in 1955, the most recent being Marion Marauder in 2016.

Super Chapter will leave from post four with driver Dexter Dunn in the second of the three eliminations. He heads to the race off a career-best 1:50.3 win in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 12 at The Meadowlands. He defeated Monserrate, another Hambletonian hopeful, by 1-1/4 lengths.

The son of stallion Chapter Seven has hit the board in 13 of 15 career races, winning nine and earning $802,990. His dam, Lifetime Pursuit, won the 2014 Hambletonian Oaks.

Super Chapter’s stablemate Variegated, who finished second in the Yonkers Trot, is in the same elimination. He will leave from post five. The field also includes Onajetplane, who won a division of the Tompkins-Geers last week at The Meadowlands. He will start from post six for trainer Noel Daley.

The first elimination features the season’s fastest 3-year-old trotter, Emoticon Legacy, who will start from post two with Louis-Philippe Roy in the sulky for trainer Luc Blais. Emoticon Legacy is unbeaten in three races this year, with his victories including the final of the Goodtimes Stakes in 1:50.2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (the fastest mile ever by a sophomore trotter on Canadian soil) and the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial at Vernon Downs, where he defeated Maryland and Meshuggah.

Meshuggah is also in the first elimination, leaving from post three with Scott Zeron listed to drive, as is Monserrate, who finished second to Super Chapter in their Dancer Memorial division. Monserrate, last year’s Valley Victory winner, will start from post four with David Miller driving for trainer Andrew Harris.

The third elimination finds Maryland leaving from post seven with driver Dunn for trainer Melander. Maryland has three second-place finishes in three starts this season, with his setbacks coming to Super Chapter, Emoticon Legacy and, most recently, Go Dog Go by a neck in their Dancer Memorial division.

Last year, Maryland finished his season by winning five consecutive Grand Circuit stakes, including the Mohawk Million and a Breeders Crown, on his way to earning $1.22 million – a total that led all of harness racing.

Starting from post three in the third elim is Go Dog Go, with Todd McCarthy driving for trainer Carter Pinske. Go Dog Go is perfect in three races this season, with his win in the Dancer Memorial coming in a career-best 1:50.4. New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Hidalgo is the richest horse in the field, with $157,143, and will start from post two with Yannick Gingras driving for trainer Ron Burke.

The Hambletonian eliminations are races six, eight and 10.

Among the sophomore trotting fillies, Conversano is the season’s richest, with $208,511, and will start from post one in the third elimination for the Hambletonian Oaks. Andrew McCarthy will drive for trainer Juan Cano.

Conversano has hit the board in all seven of her races, winning five, including the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship and a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial, both at The Meadowlands. Her mark of 1:51.3 is the fastest among the 23 Oaks hopefuls and second fastest of the season for a 3-year-old trotting filly.

Also in the third elimination is Zweig Memorial Filly winner Torrisi, who will start from post seven for trainer Nancy Takter.

The first elimination features Breeders Crown champ Lady Landia, who made her 2025 debut on July 12 in a division of the Del Miller Memorial at The Big M. She finished second to Yo Tillie, who was not eligible to the Oaks. Lady Landia will leave from post seven with trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt.

Dan Patch Award-winner Champagne Problems, another filly from the Takter Stable, will start from post three in the first elim. R Dutchess, who has a win and three seconds in four races this year, will leave from post one for trainer John Butenschoen. She missed by a head against Conversano in their Reynolds division and was second to What A Bid Hanover in their Miller Memorial split.

What A Bid Hanover, last season’s Goldsmith Maid winner, is in the second Oaks elimination. She will start from post six with trainer Svanstedt in the sulky. In the race prior to her Miller triumph, she missed by a neck against Torrisi in the Zweig.

The elimination also includes Miss Belmar, who won a division of the Tompkins-Geers last week at The Meadowlands. She will leave from post five with Andrew McCarthy in the sulky for trainer Daley.

The Hambletonian Oaks eliminations are races seven, nine and 11.

Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EDT). For free TrackMaster past performances for The Big M, visit the track’s website here.

Click: #Hambo100 Hype!

Following are the fields for the $83,550 Hambletonian eliminations, with horse, listed driver, and trainer:

Elimination One, Race 6
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Fashion Green – Tim Tetrick – Jim Campbell
2 – Emoticon Legacy – Louis Roy – Luc Blais
3 – Meshuggah – Scott Zeron – Marcus Melander
4 – Monserrate – David Miller – Andrew Harris
5 – Greenma – Trond Smedshammer – Trond Smedshammer
6 – Mr Mouton – Dexter Dunn – Ake Svanstedt
7 – Blank – Scott Zeron – Marcus Melander

Elimination Two, Race 8
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Grande Via – David Miller – Andrew Harris
2 – Gimpanzee Dancer – Aaron Merriman – Chris Beaver
3 – Gap Kronos S – Yannick Gingras – Ake Svanstedt
4 – Super Chapter – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander
5 – Variegated – Andrew McCarthy – Marcus Melander
6 – Onajetplane – Andrew McCarthy – Noel Daley
7 – Maximus Mearas S – Scott Zeron – Lucas Wallin

Elimination Three, Race 10
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Nordic Catcher S – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt
2 – Hidalgo – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke
3 – Go Dog Go – Todd McCarthy – Carter Pinske
4 – Landing On Time – James MacDonald – Rick Zeron
5 – Go Ahead Makemyday – David Miller – Blake MacIntosh
6 – The Rogue Prince – Tim Tetrick – Lucas Wallin
7 – Maryland – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander

Following are the fields for the $50,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations, with horse, listed driver, and trainer:

Elimination One, Race 7
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – R Dutchess – Tim Tetrick – John Butenschoen
2 – Lasting Dream – Louis Roy – Luc Blais
3 – Champagne Problems – Dexter Dunn – Nancy Takter
4 – Delaney Hanover – Scott Zeron – Lucas Wallin
5 – Kadena – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander
6 – Sound Judgement – Kevin Oscarsson – Jim Oscarsson
7 – Lady Landia – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt

Elimination Two, Race 9
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Luna Lovegood – Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander
2 – Voguish – Todd McCarthy – Andrew Harris
3 – Deja Blu – Yannick Gingras – Nancy Takter
4 – Walspea – Trond Smedshammer – Trond Smedshammer
5 – Miss Belmar – Andrew McCarthy – Noel Daley
6 – What A Bid Hanover – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt
7 – R Lady W – Scott Zeron – Linda Toscano
8 – Grand Reserve – Todd McCarthy – Mark Steacy

Elimination Three, Race 11
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Conversano – Andrew McCarthy – Juan Cano
2 – Dearly Beloved – David Miller – Jenny Melander
3 – R Cee Cee – James MacDonald – John Butenschoen
4 – Aperfect Annie – Todd McCarthy – Carter Pinske
5 – R Charm – Scott Zeron – Linda Toscano
6 – EL Nightwish – Dexter Dunn – Lucas Wallin
7 – Torrisi – Todd McCarthy – Nancy Takter
8 – Goodgirl Bi IT – Mattias Melander – Marcus Melander

100 YEARS AND STILL RUNNING STRONG: AMERICAN DREAM & HAMBLETONIAN SOCIETY HOST FAN EXPERIENCE SATURDAY JULY 26th

EVENT PREVIEWING THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS RACE IN HARNESS RACING

Hambletonian 100th Race to be Held August 2nd at Meadowlands Racetrack – Including Family-Friendly Events and Contests for All

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., JULY 26th, 2025 – American Dream and the Hambletonian Society are teaming up to host a Racing Fan Experience event at the entertainment and retail center on July 26th from 12-2pm.  The Fan Experience will preview historic 100th running of the most prestigious harness racing event in North America and highlight the upcoming races with a live family-friendly meet and greet with HorseAbility therapy ponies Aidan and Pearl for photo opportunities.  The event will also include memorabilia and trophies on display; and spotlight the most famous moments in the sport. Also available are discounts and giveaways for all – free of charge.

WHO: The Racetrack Experience: 100th Hambletonian at American Dream

WHAT: Harness Racing Highlights, Memorabilia, Trophies, take a picture and pet a family-friendly pony, exclusive giveaways and discounts at American Dream and the Meadowlands – preview of the $1 million 100th Hambletonian Race that runs on Saturday August 2nd at Meadowlands Racetrack

WHERE: American Dream, The Garden – Level 1

WHEN: Saturday, July 26th from 12-2pm

VISUALS: Shoppers and fans interacting with exhibit, racing highlights, trophies, memorabilia, family friendly ponies for shoppers to interact with and take photos, autographs available – all free of charge

ABOUT THE HAMBLETONIAN SOCIETY:

The Hambletonian Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1924 to sponsor the race for which it was named, the Hambletonian Stake.  The Society’s mission is to encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration and promotion of harness racing stakes, early-closing races and other special events.

The Hambletonian Society currently services 147 of harness racing’s richest and most prestigious events held at 13 North American racetracks under seven state jurisdictions.  These include harness racing’s most prominent race, the Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters, its filly division, the Hambletonian Oaks and the sport’s championship series, the Breeders Crown.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM:

American Dream, developed by Triple Five Group, is an unparalleled mix of world-class entertainment, retail and dining, comprising more than 3 million square feet just minutes away from New York City in East Rutherford, New Jersey. American Dream is home to leading attractions, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Big SNOW Ski Hill, Dream Wheel – a 300-foot observation wheel overlooking the NYC skyline, as well as attractions debuting soon such as The Game Room Powered by Hasbro and Skip Barber Racing Go-Kart Academy. American Dream’s immersive luxury shopping and dining experience – The Avenue – features Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Dolce&Gabbana, Carpaccio, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, and much more. The retail collection is further expanded with flagship locations for Aritzia, H&M, PRIMARK, Uniqlo, Sephora and Zara; as well as the Toys“R”Us global flagship, the only standalone location in the U.S, and the world’s first and only “candy department store,” IT’SUGAR.  

For more information on American Dream, visit www.americandream.com or find us on  Instagram @americandream and TikTok @americandream_official.   

Monserrate will bring a streak of eight consecutive top-three finishes to his Hambletonian Stakes elimination Saturday at The Meadowlands, where another on-the-board result will guarantee the colt a spot in the million-dollar final of America’s Trotting Classic.

The 100th edition of the Hambletonian attracted 21 3-year-old male trotters, requiring three eliminations. The top-three finishers from each elim plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings will make up the 10 horses in the Grade 1 Hambletonian final on Aug. 2 at The Meadowlands.

Full Story CLICK HERE

The last time Sweden’s Kevin Oscarsson appeared in a race in the U.S., he was a 21-year-old driver sitting behind a horse in the $1 million International Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway in 2016.

On Saturday, he will return to action in the States, this time behind Sound Judgement in her elimination for the Hambletonian Oaks at The Meadowlands. Oscarsson, the now 30-year-old son of trainer Jim Oscarsson, will drive the 3-year-old trotting filly for his dad and owner Blomberg Stable.

Full Story CLICK HERE

With the Championship Meet nearing its end, The Meadowlands will be a flurry of activity for the next two weeks, culminating with the 100th edition of the biggest event the sport of harness racing offers, the $1-million Hambletonian, on Saturday, Aug. 2.

“It’s been over 40 years that the Hambletonian has been part of the scene at The Meadowlands,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The race and the track are now linked and are synonymous with the greatest day in harness racing.”

Eliminations for the seven-figure Hambo for 3-year-old trotters and $500,000 Hambo Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies take place this Saturday (July 26). There was no shortage of horses at the entry box as 21 dropped in for the Hambletonian and 23 for the Oaks. Each event will have three eliminations with the three first-place finishers plus the highest-earning fourth-place finisher qualifying for the finals.

Goodtimes winner Emoticon Legacy and Stanley Dancer division winners Super Chapter and Go Dog Go are among the Hambletonian entrants, along with winter book Hambo favorite Maryland, who has yet to record a win this year despite racing well in all three of his seasonal starts, which resulted in second-place finishes.

Lady Landia (second to Oaks-ineligible Yo Tillie in a division of the Del Miller) and What A Bid Hanover (a Del Miller division winner) are a pair of standouts for trainer Ake Svanstedt in the Oaks. Conversano, third to What A Bid Hanover in the Miller, opened the year with five wins in six starts, including victories in the Reynolds and New Jersey Sire Stakes final, and is a big-time threat from the Juan Cano barn.

WATCH THE DRAW LIVE: The post-position draws for the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks will take place on Tuesday (July 29) at Chateau Grande in East Brunswick, NJ.

The luncheon begins at 2 p.m. and all are welcome to attend for free.

Carson Kressley and Jessica Otten will host the event with Ken Warkentin providing interviews.

The draws for The Hambo and Oaks will start at 3 p.m. For those who cannot be there, the event will stream on Meadowlands Facebook Live and the Meadowlands YouTube channel.

HAMBO DAY STAKES: Hambletonian Day is the strongest program of the year in the sport.

Need proof?

This is the list of the stakes events that will be contested that day (with estimated purses):

·         $1,000,000 Hambletonian

·         $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks

·         $260,000 Cane Pace

·         $100,000 Shady Daisy

·         $300,000 John Cashman Memorial

·         $150,000 Dr. John Steele Memorial

·         $275,000 Sam McKee Memorial

·         $175,000 Lady Liberty

·         $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old colt and gelding trot)

·         $240,000 New Jersey Siren Stakes final (2-year-old filly trot)

POST TIME FOR THE BIG ONES: Hambletonian Day will feature a 16-race card. The first race will get underway at noon. Post time for the Hambletonian (Race 12) is 4:47 p.m. The Hambletonian Oaks (Race 10) will head to the gate at 3:37 p.m.

NEED TO KNOW BASIS: What follows is a list of things fans attending the Hambletonian need to know before attending the races:

·         Gates open at 10 a.m.

·         Admission is $5; all paying adults will receive a Hambletonian baseball cap

·         There will be a cigar roller on the Paddock Level

·         Food trucks will be on the East Apron and throughout the Backyard

·         Kiddie rides will be available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

·         Hambletonian Hat contest: 1:40 p.m. (after race 5; will be judged by TV personality Kressley)

·         Best-dressed contest: 2:05 p.m. (after race 6; will be judged by influencer Caitlyn Warakomski)

·         Interviews with Kressley, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, Big M Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hambletonian Society John Campbell and Editor of DRF Harness Derick Giwner will be conducted during the course of the card

·         Hambletonian drivers’ parade: 4:05 p.m.

·         Last-race post time: 6:48 p.m.

HAMBLETONIAN DAY TV: In addition to coverage on FOX 5 from 3-6 p.m. of the 100th Hambletonian, there are other ways to view what happens on the biggest day in harness racing.

They are:

·         CBS Sports Network: Sunday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m. (replay)

·         PrimeTime Racing: All day coverage of Hambletonian Day

·         Racetrack Television Network: (rtn.tv) Free streaming of The Meadowlands In-house show from playmeadowlands.com

·         Meadowlands Facebook page: All day coverage

·         Meadowlands YouTube channel: All day coverage

·         HarnessRacing.com Preview Show: Hosted by Wendy Ross; live on Vimeo at 11 a.m.

·         FanDuel TV: Live on-site

BIG M STILL FOXY: For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands are combining forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a coast-to-coast audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.

The next broadcast will be Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 2, when the 100th edition of the $1-million Hambletonian can be seen in the New York-Metropolitan area on FOX 5 New York from 3-6 p.m.

Here is the schedule for the remaining FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:

·         August 2 – Hambletonian 100, 3-6 p.m., FOX 5

·         September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA

·         November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA

·         November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA

FOSSLI WINS AGAIN: Karen Fossli was on target once again in the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest on Friday (July 18), taking first place for a second time this year, again walking away with the top nightly prize of $500.

A 20-cent Pick-5 hit of $477 set Fossli up well, as she finished the night with a bankroll of $722.26, so not only did Fossli take home the top cash prize, but also – as per contest rules – took home her profits of $622.26 as well.

Finishing second with a bankroll of $604.50 was Nick Montemurro, who took down the $250 second prize. For Montemurro, it was his third top-two finish this year, so he will have three entries (at least) for the end-of-the-year, invitation-only contest on Dec. 13, which offers prize money totaling $10,000. Fossli and Gary Scogna will have two entries (as of now) apiece in the big-money test, which will be limited to 20 entries.

Contest format:

·         Contestants must be on-site to participate

·         Contestants must buy a $100 betting card to participate

·         Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races

·         There is no minimum or maximum bet per race

·         Contestants can play any wager(s) on The Meadowlands live wagering menu

·         Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings

·         Contestants can enter as many times as they wish

·         The top two finishers earn spots in the $10,000 end-of-the-year contest

Remaining contest schedule:

·         Saturday, August 30

·         Saturday, October 25

·         Friday, November 21

·         The $10,000 invitation-only final is on Saturday, December 13

Previous players that have qualified for the December contest are Montemurro and Gary Scogna (the top two finishers from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); Sean Loebs and Joe Barre (March); Robert Glaser and Jim Bohnarczyk (April); Fossli and Russ Slader (May); and Del Kern and Scogna (June).

Complete contest rules and regulations can be found here.

To participate, players must be 18 years of age or older to wager on racing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.

THEY ARE FA-REEE! To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

WHEN IS LIVE RACING? This weekend, live racing at The Big M will be conducted on Friday (July 25) and Saturday (July 26) with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

Next week, racing on Friday, Aug. 1, begins at 6:20 p.m. Then, on Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 2, the only card that takes place entirely during the day starts at noon.

CATCH THE SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show this Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes at 5:45 p.m.

At that point, Warkentin will then throw to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, where, on Friday night, The Big M’s Dave Little and Jessica Otten will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

On Saturday, Giwner will join Little on the outdoor set near the winner’s circle.

John Rallis, who divides his on-camera time between The Big M and Woodbine Mohawk Park when not serving as an editor and columnist at TROT Magazine, will be handling interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed all weekend long.

PLAY HORSEPLAY, WIN A CAR: The extremely popular Horseplay Car Giveaway is winding its way toward the payoff.

When there is live racing, fans can get involved by picking up a free toy horse to toss. Participants attempt to throw their numbered horse into the window of a moving car. A winner, randomly chosen from all the horses that make it into the vehicle, will receive a $100 betting voucher. The 27 winners will be entered into the Horseplay final drawing on Friday, Aug. 1, for a chance to win a 2025 Toyota GR86. 

SOCIALLY SUPERIOR: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M talent trio of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

A GREAT NIGHT OUT: Looking to book a corporate event or private party?  The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.

To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.

FANDUEL IS NO. 1: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

Local baseball fans get a day of rest on Thursday (July 24), but they can still get their action.

The most intriguing MLB matchup of the day has the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays traveling to Detroit to take on the ice-cold Tigers in a 6:40 p.m. start.

The Tigers are a -126 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.

In celebration of the 100th edition of America's greatest harness race, the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack, and Ghost Hawk Brewing Company have again teamed up to provide fans and guests with Trotter’s Gold 2025.

Labeled “Trotters Gold”, the Clifton, NJ-based brewery has produced a 5% ABV American Golden Ale brewed with Pilsner malt and Mt. Hood hops to create a balance between cereal grain flavors and floral, soft, and spicy notes.

The beer label pays homage to race’s 100-year history with Rysdyk’s Hambletonian and the Hambletonian trophy prominently featured.

It is available for sale at the racetrack.

Yo Tillie maintained her current standing as the top horse in her division and Onajetplane threw his hat into the ring as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex.

Yo Tillie remained unbeaten in four tries this season after displaying an awesome closing kick rather than the dazzling early speed she showed in each of her first three starts this year.

“Her last couple of starts she’s been awesome,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “I’ve been racing her pretty aggressively and that was kind of the plan for tonight, but she’s come back so smart this year and she’s learned how to settle in. It’s an advantage when you can race them like that.”

The daughter of Tactical Landing-Consolidator raced in fourth past the five-eighths in the $37,125 first dash for fillies, then moved to the outside on the far turn before unleashing a powerhouse final quarter of :26.3 to win by 3½ lengths over R Charm in 1:52.3. Jersey Slide was third.

“I knew when I tipped and asked her that she would give me a pretty good last quarter,” said McCarthy.

Not eligible for the Hambletonian Oaks, Yo Tillie, who returned $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite, is being pointed toward the Kentucky Filly Futurity and Breeders Crown, among other stakes events this year, according to trainer Andrew Harris.

Onajetplane used a quick brush to command down the backstretch to secure the top just after the half and then had to hold off a late-charging Hey Porter to take the first division for colts and geldings – which went for a purse of $39,125 – by a head in a lifetime-best equaling 1:52.1. Warrior was third.

“He doesn’t love being in front, he starts looking around a little,” said winning driver Andy McCarthy. “He got to wondering a little but once Scottie [Zeron, driving Hey Porter] came to us, he got back to business.”

In the opinion of his driver, the son of Walner-Noble Lover is a Hambletonian contender. “This horse is good enough [to compete in the Hambo]. He needs a good draw and a good trip and he’ll be right there.”

As the 4-5 public choice, Onajetplane, a Noel Daley trainee, paid $3.60 to win.

DALEY DOUBLE: Andy McCarthy and Daley doubled up in the Tompkins-Geers in the second division for fillies, which went for $37,625, when Miss Belmar (Muscle Hill-Chapter Too) scored in a lifetime-best 1:52.1 from off the pace, giving her two wins in her last three starts after starting her career 0-for-9.

In the other split for colts and geldings, the Blake MacIntosh-trained Go Ahead Makemyday led at every call in the $39,625 dash, stopping the clock in a lifetime-best 1:53 with Dave Miller at the controls. The son of Walner-Uvie Hanover could be peaking at just the right time with the Hambletonian eliminations just one week away, as eight days ago, he was a sold second-place finisher to the talented Mr Mouton. Go Ahead Makemyday paid $10 as the 4-1 second choice.

MEADOWLANDS/STANLEY DANCER MEMORIAL/TROTTERS/FOR SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025

SUPER CHAPTER, GO DOG GO TAKE WINNING STEPS IN STANLEY DANCER MEMORIAL

By Frank Cotolo, for The Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Super Chapter and Go Dog Go recorded speed-smashing victories in their respective editions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial at The Meadowlands on Saturday (July 12) as they both eye towards the 100th Hambletonian.  

With a commanding mile while facing minimal challenge, Super Chapter – with Dexter Dunn at the reins – won the first of the two $119,500 Stanley Dancer Memorial divisions.

Hidalgo left for the lead from the inside, but 1-9 favorite Super Chapter eased towards the front out of post 4 and captured the top spot in a :27 first quarter. Hidalgo sat second ahead of Hard Seven and Monserrate, all while Super Chapter sailed to a :55.1 half.

Holding on to the top spot with ease, Super Chapter was in a smooth groove as the lineup changed when Monserrate left the pylons to go after the leader and Gap Kronos S took the live cover behind him. Super Chapter clocked the three-quarters in 1:23.3 and continued to pick up the pace down the stretch. He recorded a :27 final quarter while keeping Monserrate to his rear in a personal-best 1:50.3 mile. Monserrate closed well to finish second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, and longshot Blank made up sufficient real estate to finish third. Hidalgo held fourth.

Super Chapter, coming from a win in the Yonkers Trot, the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, is a son of Chapter Seven out of 2014 Hambletonian Oaks winner Lifetime Pursuit. He is owned by Jeff Snyder and Arthur S. Pronti and trained by Marcus Melander. He lifted his lifetime wins to nine from 15 starts and his lifetime earnings to $802,990. He paid $2.20 to win.

Mattias Melander, assistant trainer to Marcus Melander, said after the race, "He was super today and is good all around on any track size. He's really no problem and we did not have to make any changes [in equipment] for this one."

The Melander barn adds Super Chapter with Maryland for their shots at the 100th Hambletonian. 

Act two of the Stanley Dancer Memorial offered a lot more movement on the two turns than act one. As the gate unfolded, two betting outsiders – Top Gun Hanover and Nordic Catcher S –  grabbed the leading roles while Go Dog Go followed in front of race-favorite Maryland.

The first quarter clocked in at :27.3 as Go Dog Go and Todd McCarthy took to the outside and swished to the top with Maryland and Dexter Dunn picking up his cover. Maryland took over the lead, but the two top betting choices soon locked into a brief duel as Go Dog Go popped back outside as three-quarters flashed 1:24.3.

Go Dog Go lunged forward to stick a head in front of Maryland on the turn for home. McCarthy had Go Dog Go on the outside with plenty of trot left, enough to smack a :26.1 final quarter and repel Maryland by a neck in a lifetime-best 1:50.4. Nordic Catcher S was third and Maximus Mearas S held on for fourth. 

“There was a little bit of pressure coming from the outer flow,” Todd McCarthy said. “He felt so good at the time that I really didn’t want to risk getting put in a pocket there, and I felt like the move I made in the backstretch didn’t have to use too much energy. Maryland raced great too, but the way my guy felt I was happy to take my chance there.”

Wiesman Farms LLC and Al Libfeld own the son of Greenshoe-Primary Target. Go Dog Go is trained by Carter Pinske. 

"He fought back early," said owner-breeder John Wiseman. When asked about the connections' hopes for Go Dog Go to win the 100th Hambletonian, Wiseman said, "I’m not even going to go down that street. That’s in two weeks. Our first [Grand Circuit] stake win ever was last weekend in the Reynolds, so [he] is very, very special.”

Go Dog Go won all three of his races this season, and this was his fifth win in 13 starts. He goes into the Hambletonian having earned $410,192 lifetime. He paid $4.60 to win.

 Emoticon Legacy outlasted Maryland to capture the $320,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot for sophomore trotters at Vernon Downs on Thursday (July 3).

Meshuggah (Scott Zeron) was first to the quarter in :26.3. Onajetplane (Andrew McCarthy) then took over the lead heading to the backstretch. Emoticon Legacy (Louis Roy) then made his move first-up heading down the backside. He surged to the front and led to the half in :55.1. Maryland (Dexter Dunn) then made his move heading around the final turn. He went from sixth to second in a flash as Emoticon Legacy led to three-quarters in 1:24.1.

As they made the turn for home, the race was on. Second-place finisher Maryland confronted Emoticon Legacy who then found another gear and won by a length in 1:51.4. Meshuggah finished third.

Emoticon Legacy, a 3-year-old colt by Walner, paid $3.30 to win. He is owned by Determination and trained by Luc Blais.

He is now three for three in 2025 with $254,940 in winnings. It was his seventh career victory in 10 starts and increased his lifetime earnings to $417,596..

There were four divisions of the W.N. Reynolds for 3-year-old trotters contested on the undercard, with two dashes for colts and geldings and two for fillies.

In the first split for males, which went for a purse of $34,825, Hambletonian hopeful Go Dog Go (Greenshoe-Primary Target) followed live cover on the way to a lifetime-best 1:52 score for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Carter Pinske. The 1-5 favorite paid $2.60 to win.

Another horse with Hambo dreams, Gap Kronos S (Face Time Bourbon-I’m Really Special) took the lead at the half and went down the road from there in the other division for males for Yannick Gingras and Ake Svanstedt in a lifetime-best-equaling 1:51.4. As the 9-5 second choice, he returned $5.60 to his backers in the $34,325 dash.

Super Chapter made a break when he raced at MGM Yonkers Raceway in last year’s New York Sire Stakes final, but Dexter Dunn took no chances of a repeat of that performance, taking the prohibitive favorite in Friday’s $300,000 Grade 2 MGM Yonkers Trot well off-the-pace at the outset but still having plenty in reserve to secure a 1:54.3 victory in the opening leg of the Trotting Triple Crown.

With just five horses in the field, Dunn elected prudence at the outset as stablemate Variegated, with Scott Zeron, marched to the front from post three and Happy Jack B with Ake Svanstedt assumed the pocket. With Hard Seven breaking at the outset, Super Chapter was in fourth while well off the pace through a 29-second opening quarter.

Variegated kept the pace consistent, hitting the half in :58 with Dunn sitting fourth to that station but beginning to energize the Marcus Melander-trained son of Chapter Seven. Dunn finally moved Super Chapter coming out of the third turn, and he advanced quickly on the top pair as Variegated led the field through three-quarters in 1:26.3 with Svanstedt content to draft behind with Happy Jack B.

Dunn turned up the temperature, and Super Chapter was more than up to the task, coming home with a :27.3 final quarter for a confident three-quarter-length victory. Variegated was well clear for second, with Happy Jack B third in the five-horse field.

Super Chapter is owned by Jeffrey Snyder and Arthur Pronti and won for the eighth time in 14 lifetime starts, increasing his career earnings to $744,435 with the win. Super Chapter, a son of Chapter Seven, as were the rest of the quintet, is the fourth living foal from the Cantab Hall-sired dam Lifetime Pursuit. Lifetime Pursuit has Triple Crown history of her own as the upset winner in the 2014 Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands, her signature victory on the way to a $1 million racing career. Super Chapter is by far her most accomplished foal to date. Super Chapter was a $300,000 yearling purchase from the 2023 Harrisburg Sale.

Sent off as the shortest possible favorite, Super Chapter returned $2.10 to win with the exacta returning $4.10 and triple at $24.40. 

“I just took my time, keeping him safe with the first turn,” said Dunn, recalling the break in stride when Super Chapter was the prohibitive choice in last year’s sire stakes final.

“He’s gotten stronger,” added Dunn, quite impressed thus far with Super Chapter’s unblemished 3-for-3 sophomore campaign.

This was the first MGM Yonkers Trot triumph for Dunn and the third for trainer Marcus Melander, who won it first in 2019 with Gimpanzee and again in 2022 with the filly Joviality S.

Emoticon Legacy came up with another flawless performance, this time in record-setting fashion in the $227,000 Goodtimes Stakes (Grade 2) on Saturday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. 

Sent on his way as the 1-2 choice in the Goodtimes, Emoticon Legacy arrived at his latest engagement off an authoritative 1 ¾-length victory in his elimination – and three-year-old debut – last week at the Milton oval.

He took things up a notch in the final.

Landing On Time, second choice on the tote board, landed on the front end early, while Blank, who challenged for early bragging rights into the first turn, broke stride, leaving Louis-Philippe Roy little choice but to march onwards.

It was Landing On Time who took his rivals through an opening quarter in :26.4, but Roy pressed on and powered Emoticon Legacy to the lead soon after.

Emoticon Legacy reached the half in :55.1 and was still calling the shots through three quarters in 1:23.0, as the Luc Blais pupil looked primed to draw away from his pursuers down the lane.

The bay colt shrugged off mid-stretch challenges from Gap Kronos S and Landing On Time and went on to stop the teletimer in a stakes and track record 1:50.2, nearly two seconds faster than his previous speed badge of 1:52.1. Gap Kronos S was second, 3 ¼ lengths back. Landing On Time was third and LMC Wagon Wheel was fourth.

“I didn't necessarily want to race him on the on the lead again, but leaving the gate and going in the first turn, I thought it was like the best option for me, because otherwise I was going to have to come first up on the other best two that I thought were in the race,” said Roy. “I was a little bit worried, to be honest, but the horse just proved he's a different animal."

Owned and bred by Determination, the Walner colt out of the O'Brien Award winning-mare Emoticon Hanover took four of his seven rookie races, including a division of the Champlain Stakes, earning $220,637. He was fourth in the William Wellwood Memorial and fifth in the Mohawk Million. 

On Saturday evening at Mohawk, he showcased his talents with another top-shelf triumph.

“Well, this year he's a different horse,” said Blais. “Last year, he was a little bit anxious, and didn't know how to control his emotion, I think. But this year, I think we know him. He's more easy. I started differently with him, and it's worked out.

“I know he's got lots of speed, but he just needs to control his emotion."

Emoticon Legacy, now 6-0-0 from 9 starts, rolled into last week’s elimination off four qualifiers, including a 1:54.3 mile on June 2, paid $3 for his Goodtimes victory.

Vernon Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both sophomore trotting fillies as well as 3-year-old trotting colts & gelding on Friday (June 13).

Super Chapter (Scott Zeron) dominates the $87,250 EBC first division for sophomore colts & geldings.

Super Chapter ($2.80) grabbed the lead and led to the quarter in :26.4. He slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter and maintained the lead to the half in : 56.1. Maryland (Dexter Dunn) came chasing first-over going around the final turn. Super Chapter was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Super Chapter let out another gear and just flew down the stretch with an impressive :26.1 last quarter to win in a sparkling lifetime best of 1:50.4. Just 1/5 off the track record. Maryland had to settle for second. Hard Seven (Todd McCarthy) finished third.

Super Chapter is a 3-year-old colt by Chapter Seven. He is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeff Snyder, and Arthur Pronti. He is now two for two as a sophomore. He owns seven career victories.

Chat Room (Tyler Buter) longshot winner in the $88,500 second division for colts & geldings.

Chat Room ($27.80) was first to the quarter in :28.0. Variegated (Dexter Dunn) took over the lead going down the backstretch and led to the half in :56.0. BJM’s Lil Man (Matt Kakaley) came first-up to challenge going around the final turn. Variegated turned him away and led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.

Chat Room waited patiently in the pocket until they reached the stretch. He pooped the pocket and blew right on by equaling his lifetime best of 1:52.3. Variegated had to settle for second. Monserate ) David Miller) was third best.

Chat Room is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is trained by John Butenschoen for owners James Crawford IV, David Miller, Charles Rowe, and Lawrence Means. It was his second win this season and his fifth career victory.

Pink Bomb (Dexter Dunn) captures the $87,750 first division of the EBC’s for 3-year-old fillies.

Chapvious (Jason Bartlett) led to the first quarter in :28.0. Pink Bomb ($8.70) made her move first-up going down the backside and was first to the half in :57.2. Sonmar Pond (Brett Beckwith) was first to make a move going around the final turn. Pink Bomb continued in command leading to three-quarters in 1:26.3.

As they made the turn for home second place finisher My Debt Collector (Tyler Buter) came flying late but was too late as Pink Bomb won in a lifetime best of 1:54.1. Chapvious was third best.

Pink Bomb is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, and Heather Marshall while trained by John Butenschoen. It fourth win of the season and the fifth win of her career.

EL Nightwish (Dexter Dunn) takes the $89,000 second division for the fillies.

Pink Chou Chou (David Miller) took the early lead but Seventh Gen (Jeff Gregory) grabbed control just before getting to the quarter first in :27.1. She used a :30.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.1. EL Nightwish ($6.70) made her move going around the last turn. Seventh Gen had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:25.3.

As they entered the stretch EL Nightwish forged to the lead and won easily in a lifetime best of 1:52.4. Seventh Gen had to settle for second. Devious Babe (Tyler Miller) finished third.

EL Nightwish is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Emp Invest Oy and trained by Lucas Wallin. She is four for four in 2025.

Hidalgo made the lead early in the $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands Friday night

Hidalgo (Muscle Hill-Brooklyn) won the division for colts and geldings after claiming the lead at the quarter in :27.1 and going down the road from there.

It was exactly what driver Yannick Gingras did not have in mind.

“It was the last place I wanted to be,” said Gingras. “He’s been there before and got beat. I really wanted to get away in the two- or three-hole. At the end of the day, he dug in and got the job done.”

After reaching the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25, Hidalgo had to deal with a three-pronged attack from Travolta Hanover, Top Gun Hanover and Onajetplane but was able to hold sway after trotting his final quarter in :27.4 to complete a 1-length win over Onajetplane and Top Gun Hanover in 1:52.4. Even-money favorite Mr Walner Fashion went off stride approaching the top of the stretch and finished eighth before being disqualified and placed 10th.

After opening the season with a pair of starts where he went off stride, trainer Ron Burke added the trotting hobbles, which have enabled Hidalgo to mind his manners, but Gingras didn’t rile his horse up in the final preliminary a week ago in a loss to Mr Walner Fashion because of his breaking issues. Or so it seemed.

“It’s not the whip,” said Gingras. “It’s really just holding him together. But I think that comes with maturity. Tonight, he dug in, but I still like him off a helmet. He’s a big, strong horse. It’s between the ears that sometimes gets to him.”

Hidalgo now has five wins from 16 lifetime tries and earnings of $332,350 for owners Brixton Medical Inc and Hatfield Stables. He returned $11 to win as the 9-2 third choice in the betting.