2020 Hambletonian

August 11, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — The moments following Ramona Hill’s win in the Hambletonian Stakes were unlike any Andy McCarthy ever experienced as a driver.

“The feeling I got when I crossed the wire, I’ve never had that before, that amount of joy and emotion,” McCarthy said. “I don’t want to compare it to my kids being born, because that’s a completely different thing, but it was definitely emotional. Heading back to the winner’s circle, I’ve never felt anything like it in my life on the racetrack. Embracing the moment, just the feeling of joy, it’s unbelievable.”

McCarthy and Ramona Hill captured the 95th edition of the Hambletonian this past Saturday at The Meadowlands. The duo won the $1 million event by one length over Ready For Moni in a stakes-record-equaling 1:50.1 for trainer Tony Alagna and owners Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc, and In The Gym Partners.

Ramona Hill, a daughter of Muscle Hill out of Lock Down Lindy bred by Crawford Farms, became the 15th filly to win harness racing’s top race for 3-year-old trotters.

The Hambletonian was McCarthy’s fifth win of the day on the stakes-filled Big M card. He won four of the afternoon’s first six races, including the Shady Daisy with Reflect With Me and the Jim Doherty Memorial with Darlene Hanover, and the fast start was beneficial.

“It’s good to get some good vibes going for the day,” McCarthy said. “Confidence has such a main role in how you drive, I think. When the ball’s rolling and things are going good, you feel like you can do nothing wrong. For me, anyway, confidence is definitely a major player in how I do.”

McCarthy’s biggest challenge was finding a way to enjoy the wins without getting too pumped up along the way.

“You want to celebrate, and you want to feel that emotion, but you also don’t want to carry that over to the next drive,” he said. “You want to stay focused and you’ve still got work to do. I like to be confident but calm at the same time. I don’t want to be carrying too much emotion with me, just really stay focused on the job at hand. There are a million things that can go wrong in a race and you have to be super focused and aware of these things.”

A native of Australia, the 34-year-old McCarthy has raced regularly in North America since 2007. He has seen his purse earnings increase annually since the start of 2013, reaching a career-best $7.67 million last year, when he ranked ninth among drivers in North America.

In 2019, McCarthy became the eighth driver in history to win at least four Breeders Crown finals in a year. He became the first to accomplish the feat without driving a favorite.

Last year, he also made his first appearance in a Hambletonian final, finishing seventh with Pilot Discretion. This year with Ramona Hill, he was fourth after a quarter mile, moved to the front on the backstretch, and cruised to victory. Her time equaled the stakes mark set by her sire Muscle Hill in 2009.

“In my mind, I had the best horse in the race,” McCarthy said. “I just wanted to be safe through the first turn. Once I got through the first turn, I thought I could win the race however it went down.”

McCarthy followed the Hambletonian while growing up in Australia but became more focused on the race after arriving in the U.S. to compete. He is the 28th different driver to win the Hambletonian in the 40 years it has called The Meadowlands home.

“When I was a teenager, I started following the American racing more,” McCarthy said. “Back then, it was kind of pre-social media days, so it was kind of hard to keep up with it. I always liked American racing and I loved the Hambo. As far as thinking I could win it one day, that was a different story.

“Once I got over here and went to the Hambo every year and watched it, it’s become the race. It’s the race you want to win, for sure. I’m just very lucky and privileged to be able to do that.”

by James Witherite

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ramona Hill ($2.80) became the second filly in three years to win the $1 million Hambletonian, using a strong middle move to achieve command en route to a 1:50.1 victory in the 95th edition of the classic for 3-year-old trotters, held on Saturday (Aug. 8) at The Meadowlands.

The daughter of Muscle Hill surged clear of Threefiftytwo on the backstretch, achieved control just beyond a :54.3 first half mile, and parried an outside threat from Ready For Moni through the far turn. Ramona Hill edged clear off the home corner and found the finish line a length in front of a hard-driven Ready For Moni. Back Of The Neck followed second-over cover to finish third.

It was the first Hambletonian triumph for both driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Tony Alagna. Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners own nine-time winner Ramona Hill, whose 1:50.1 time equaled Muscle Hill's mark for the fastest Hambletonian final.

Atlanta (2018), Continentalvictory (1996) and Duenna (1983) are the only other three fillies to have won the Hambletonian since the race moved to The Meadowlands.

By Anne Doolin for the Hambletonian Society

The famed mile oval of the Meadowlands has now played host to the Hambletonian for 40 years-  longer than any of the legendary tracks in its past.

So how did America’s Trotting Classic, nicknamed the “Corn Tassel Derby” end up in, as Bruce Springsteen sings, the “swamps of Jersey?”

The inaugural Hambletonian at the Meadowlands in 1981 had more twists and turns in the story line than a best seller. Intense lobbying, purse hikes, bells and whistles, media exposure and more lured the trotting classic from its longtime home in bucolic Du Quoin, Illinois to the shadow of New York City.

One would have expected a fancy, expensive yearling with famous connections to capture harness racing's most coveted trophy in one of the most wealthy and glitzy areas of the world. But it was actually quite the opposite.

The Hambletonian went a long four heats after hours and hours of rain, and the somewhat unlikely victor in the three-horse race-off was a Michigan-bred gelding covered in mud. 

Shiaway St Pat, by Tarport Devlin, had earned less than $10,000 at two racing in his home state. His owners and breeders, the Huffs (Robert, Wilbur and Ronald) operated Shiawassee Farm in Durand, MI, raising horses who mainly competed on the fair circuit in that state.

“We got him in February I think it was,” said driver/trainer Ray Remmen, who also won the very first race at The Meadowlands when it opened in 1976. “He was a very unimpressive individual when he got off the truck. I thought 'oh boy.' 

“It was through mutual friends that we got him to train. Mr. Huff was kind of a gung-ho guy and that's why they sent him up to the Hambletonian.

“When we started racing him, he was a nice enough horse. We caught a bit of a lighter group (in the Hambo) I think but who knows how good (that group) actually was – it was such a horrible day, which probably worked to our advantage. 

“There wasn't really any pressure. I don't know that anyone really thought he had a chance of winning the Hambletonian. We knew he'd be competitive but it all came about pretty fast and before you knew it, it was over. “

Shiaway changed hands and developed some issues over the next few years, finally ending up racing in low level claiming races. In 1988, the gelding was purchased by the Meadowlands, and he returned to the Remmen barn in the summer and would greet visitors to the races from his own small paddock in the park. He also would lead the post parade for the Hambletonian for several years afterwards.

Ray and brother Larry didn't mind in the least hosting a horse that provided one of their career highlights. Ray only drove in one Hambletonian since then.

“There weren't trotters where we grew up in (Saskatchewan) in western Canada. I never even thought about being in the Hambletonian. Our main thought growing up was the Little Brown Jug,” he said. “The Hambletonian never entered my mind. I took a little while to realize what had happened. It was a great experience.”

In Jimmy Takters' Last Nine years as a trainer he got $$ in the Hambo EACH YEAR!

2010 Muscle Massive WINNER2011 Pastor Stephen Fifth

2012 Guccio Second

2013 Corky Third

2014 Trixton WINNER Nuncio Second

2015 Pinkman WINNER

2015 Uncle Lasse Third

2015 The Bank Fourth

2016 Bar Hopping Fifth

2017 Victor Gio It Fifth

2018 Tactical Landing Third

RETIRED

Stars Pride

26.. 27..28 years after his second place finish in the Hambo of 1950 Stars Pride got money as a sire in the Hambletonian final.

1976 Quick Pay 5th

1977 Native Starlight 3rd

1978 Way to Gain 5th

NOTE-He sired Oaks winner Cora T-in 1978-that year he was 31.

The first 90 editions of the Hambletonian yielded TWO drivers under 30 to win it:

29 Harry Harvey 1953 Helicopter

27 John Simpson, Jr. 1970 Timothy T

The last four editions of the Hambletonian yielded THREE drivers under 30 to win it:

27 Scott Zeron 2016 Marion Marauder

29 Scott Zeron 2018 Atlanta

28 Bob mcClure 2019 Forbidden Trade

THIS year-23 YO Mattias Melander will try his hand with #8 Rome Pays Off. 

August 8, 2020. 2-3-10. IF any combination of those three numbers finish 1-2-3 in the 10th Saturday-the Cashman-it'll be historys' first ever Hambletonian winner TRIFECTA! #2 Atlanta (2018) #3 Marion Marauder (2016) and #10 Forbidden Trade (2019)  

Father Patrick is looking to do what several notables have done-finish LAST in the Hambo (2014) then SIRE the Hambo winner. He came close last year with Greenshoe. He's got three chances this year with Big Oil, Sister Sledge and Amigo Volo. Look at some of these others who DID make up for their last place finish.

1997 Yankee Glide LAST - 2006 Glidemaster won the Hambo in record time of 1:51.1 and Passionate Glide the Oaks giving Yankee Glide a sweep-AND the 1-2 finish in the HOY Balloting.

2002 Andover Hall LAST - 2007 Donato Hanover first and Adrian Chip second in the Hambo. Danae won the Oaks. ALL THREE were by Andover Hall. He went on to be HOY also. 

1987 Waikiki Beach LAST - 2001 Varenne-a son of Waikiki Beach-comes to the Meadowlands and sets the track record in the $1 Million Breeders Crown . He retires after passing Moni Makers' earnings record at $5.6 million plus. 

Super Bowl 23 6 wins 6 seconds 4 thirds 4 4ths and 3 fifths

Volomite 22 4 wins 4 seconds 6 thirds 3 fourths and 5 fifths       

Stars Pride 21 8 wins (ALL TIME BEST) 4 seconds 4 thirds 4 fourths 4 fifths

Speedy Crown 19 3 wins 5 seconds, 4 thirds 3 fourths 4 fifths

(NOTE-The very first TRIPLE CROWN WINNER (1955) SCOTT FROST had just one Hambo on-the-board finisher-Safe Mission third in 1962)

Here are some of the recent BIG PRICED WINNERS IN BIG EVENTS of the last 40 years or so. 

1985 Wilson Grade One $100 (Remmen)

1880 Wilson Land Grant $141 (Insko)

1984 Hambo Elim 1984 Delvin G Hanover $126-this AFTER setting the track record of $367 that SAME meet in April. 

2004 Meadowlands Pace Holborn Hanover $119

2008 Kadealia 75-1 THE BIGGEST PRICED Breeders Crown winner ever. 

1990 Breeders Crown Bays Fella $140

1999 Breeders Crown Shore By Five $108

2000 Jug Elim George Scooter $114

NOTE: In 1984 when Delvin G Hanover lit up the board-there was a LONGER shot on board-77-1 Desert Ruler was third in Ted Wings' one and only Hambo drive.   

Elmsford had no choice in 1977 in the Hambletonian Oaks. She won THREE times that day-she had to you see-she was DQ'D to second in the middle.

SIRES whose sons and daughters were first and second (and third on occasion) in the Hambo final:

2020 Father Patrick and Muscle Hill have three in each, Ready Cash two.

2016 Muscle Hill with Marion Marauder and Southwind Frank. (He also won the Oaks with All The Time)

2007 Andover Hall with Donato Hanover and Adrian Chip. He won all three elims that year-those two and Pampered Princess-and the Oaks with Danae-all from his FIRST CROP.

2005 S Js Photo Vivid Photo over Classic Photo

1996 Valley Victory Continentalvictory over Lindy Lane (The week before in the Dancer Vally Victory got all five checks-those two, Pietro Pan, Mr Vic and Act Of Grace)

1985 Speedy Crown Prakas and Torway

1973 Florican Flirth and Florinda

1966 Stars Pride Kerry Way over Polaris and Shatter Way

1965 Stars Pride Egyptian Candor and Armbro Flight

1962 Hoot Mon A Cs Viking and Isaac

1958 Stars Pride Emilys Pride Little Rocky

1946 Volomite Chestertown Victory Song

1943 Volomite Volo Song Worthy Boy Phonograph 

1927 Guy Axworthy Iosolas Worthy Nescopec Benelwyn

1926 Guy Axworthy Guy McKinney Guy Dean 

THREE SIRES in 2020 have a chance to expand this list. TEN sires have done this a total of FOURTEEN times. 

READY CASH Is the ONLY 2020 Hambo sire who did NOT race in the Hambletonian. Here's the list of sires who won the Hambo as a dad ONLY! 

(NOT counting the first 5 Hambletonians Obviously)

1932 Peter Volo - The Marchioness

1933 Peter The Brewer - Mary Reynolds

1934 Guy Axworthy - Lord Jim

1937 Mr McElwyn - Shirley Hanover and McClin Hanover again in 1938

1939 Peter Volo - Peter Astra

1941 Sandy Flash - Bill Gallon

1948 Dean Hanover - Demon Hanover

1949 Nibble Hanover - Miss Tilly

1963 Speedster - Speedy Scot

1967 Speedster - Speedy Streak

1981 Tarport Devlin - Shiaway St Pat

1984 ABC Freight - Historic Freight

1994 1996 1998 Valley Victory - Victory Dream | Continentalvictory | Muscles Yankee

2000 and 2003 Balanced Image - Yankee Paco and Amigo Hall

2005 S Js Photo - Vivid Photo

2011 Broadway Hall - Broad Bahn

2012 Revenue - Market Share

2013 R C Royalty - Royalty For Life

2019 Kadabra - Forbidden Trade

17 DIFFERENT SIRES have done this a total of 23 times. 

1) Hambletonian Debut for Nifty Norman in 2020-who was working for Brett Pelling in the 2002 Hambletonian when their colt Like A Prayer just missed a neck to Chip Chip Hooray. That WOULD have been the first and only time Post TEN won a Hambo in NJ. He's now trying his luck with Amigo Volo-from post TEN!

2) ONLY Tony Alagna made LAST years final and was born in the great Ol' USA. 7th with Pilot Discretion. Tony, Burke and Julie are the 3/10 this year from USA, 4 of last 20 and 36 of the last 100 Hambo starters trained by a conditioner from here. 

3) ALL FIVE checks in 2019 to Sweden or Canada. (Blais 1 Melander 2-3-5 Svanstedt 4)

4) 10% of favorites won the Hambo the last decade-just the $3.60 that Royalty For Life paid in 2013. Prior-at the Meadowlands only-15 of 29 favorites prevailed: 52%.

5) Jimmy Takters' Dontyouforgetit was LAST in 2013-then WON IT in 2014 with Trixton

Jimmy Takters' Father Patrick was LAST in 2014-then WON IT in 2015 with Pinkman.

Ake Svanstedt was LAST in 2016-AND NEXT TO LAST with The Royal Harry and Mavens Way-then WON IT in 2017 with Perfect Spirit. 

Nancy Takter was LAST in 2019 with Don't Let Em-2020 Ready For Moni?

6) Who is the ONLY driver in Meadowlands Hambo history to hit the board with a better than 50-1 shot? JOHN CAMPBELL third with 59-1 Calchips Brute in 2009.

7) Who is the ONLY driver to get $$ from post TEN in the Meadowlands Hambletonian-TWICE? D R Ackerman 4th with Coventry in 2004 and 2nd with Chocolatier in 2006. 

8) 60% That is the percentage of the final field that Father Patrick (5) and Muscle Hill (7) have had-COMBINED-in the 2019 and 2020 Hambletonian finals. SIX of the TEN each year. BOTH were odds on Hambo favorites themselves-and to this day Father Patrick is the ONLY Hambo FAVE in NJ from post 10. (2014-40 cents last) 

9) 25..26..27..28..   Marcus Melander is now 28 and in the final with a three pack. Fourth STRAIGHT Hambo Final appearance.Tim Tetrick drives for him with Capricornus. Tim drove Green Manalishi (5th) for him in 2019 and Enterprise (3rd) in 2017. Tim ALSO started his Hambletonian career at 25..26..27..28 and is now driving in his 14th STRAIGHT final, the longest active streak. Timmys' streak of WINNING a Hambo ELIM four straight years ended this year. That is a Meadowlands Hambo record.  

10) How tough is it to win the Hambletonian?  11/20 drivers who have finished LAST in the 21st century are HALL OF FAMERS!

11) For the 32nd STRAIGHT YEAR-there'll be no back to back winning Hambletonian driver. John Campbell 1987-1988 Mack Lobell and 1988 Armbro Goal remains.

12) Muscle Hill is gunning for his fifth STRAIGHT Oaks and his second Oaks/Hambo Double. 2016 is when he doubled up with All The Time and Marion Marauder. No sire has ever sired the winner of a $500,000 race five straight times. Adios did sire the winner of the Adios five straight times from 1958-1962:

Adios: 1958 Shadow Wave 1959 Adios Butler 1960 Bullet Hanover 1961 Henry T Adios 1962 Lehigh Hanover. 

13) Can Scotty Zeron become the YOUNGEST ever driver to drive OR train THREE Hambo winners? 31? Per Eriksson was 7 months older in 1992 than Scotty is now. He trained his 3rd Hambo winner then (1985 Prakas-1991 Giant Victory-1992 Alf Palema). Scott-born 3 months before the only Dead Heat Hambo-May 1989-qualified both Back Of The Neck and Threefiftytwo.

14) Bad stat-GREAT Company. Who is the ONLY JOCKEY to finish last three times in the Kentucky Derby (His FIRST THREE RIDES TOO) before ever winning it? John Velazquez in 1996-1998-1999. Yannick has a big chance to mirror what Johnny V did with Ready For Moni from the rail, but has finished last three times. (2011 Fawkes, 2014 Father Patrick and 2019 with Don't Let Em)

15) 20....20...20... The year is 2020. AND....for the 20th STRAIGHT YEAR.. at least one Swedish born trainer will appear in a Hambo final. Stefan Melander got it going with a win in 2001 with Scarlet Knight.

16) 2012 was an unusual year for the Hambletonian-at least as drivers go. 

NO Sears...NO Campbell...NO YANNICK.....NO Dave Miller. (Market Share year)

That was the last time Sears was NOT in the Hambo.

Linda Toscano

17) Go "FOURTH" Ladies:

2001 Brooke Nickells is the FIRST FEMALE trainer to start in the Hambo-FOURTH with Lavecster.

2009-Julie Miller is FOURTH in her debut year with The Chancellor. She later became the ONLY FEMALE TRAINER ever to hit the board in a Hambo final three STRAIGHT YEARS! 2016 Sutton-2017 Devious Man 2018 Mets Hall.

2011 Linda Toscano made her Hambo debut with Chapter Seven-FOURTH-the year before she became the first female trainer to win it all-Market Share-2012-in the 8th and final year of the $1,500,000 final. 

2020 marks the 13th time in the last 16 years that at least one female trainer is in the Hambo!

(Julie Miller - Big Oil & Nancy Takter - Ready For Moni)

18) Tommy (HAUGHTON) and Mattias (MELANDER)? Mattias Melander debuts as a driver at age 23 with Rome Pays Off. Can he do what Tommy Haughton did at a similar age in 1980-win a heat and get second money from the days work. To a stablemate maybe? Tommy was second best to Burgomeister and Mattias' brother Marcus has two others in: Hollywood Story and Capricornus. 

19) Marcus Melander had the THREE BETTING FAVORITES in 2019: Greenshoe 70 cents second, Gimpanzee 7.00-1 third and Green Manalishi 10.80-1 5th.  The odds are much different this year. He's going to have three of the longest shots in the field. Rome Pays off qualified 5th, as did Hollywood Story, and Capricornus slipped along the inside to be third in his elim. 

20) In 26 of the 39 finals at the Meadowlands in the Hambletonian the favorites were ODDS ON-less than even money. If you take out the three raceoffs, it is 23 of 36. Both well over 50% of the time. Will Ramona Hill be less than even money at post ? Stay tuned. 

21) The LAST TIME a female was favored in the Hambletonian final: 2015 Mission Brief second. 70 cents on the dollar. 

The LAST TIME a female was favored in the Hambletonian final where they raced just the one heat?  1992 Armbro Keepsake 2.10-1 4th .

Amigo Volo

22) Amigo Volo. Post 10 is not as bad as you might think. CHECK out the history (check getters only) of Post 10 since the Hambo came to NJ:

1985 Piggvar 3rd at 44-1

1986 Express Ride 5th at 7-1

1994 Bye Tsem 3rd at 46-1

1995 Climbing Bud 5th at 52-1

1999 Rafaello Ambrosio 4th as part of favored entry with Self Possessed 2-5

2000 Fast Photo 4th at 11-1

2003 Incredible Hulk 4th at 52-1

2004 Coventry 4th at 51-1

2006 Chocolatier 2nd at 4-1 (2nd choice)

2008 Make It Happen 3rd at 46-1

2011 Pastor Stephen 5th at 11-1

2017 Bills Man 4th at 25-1

COMPOSITE: Over $1.2 million banked from post 10-and Father Patrick is the lone FAVORITE to start from post 10-2014 (Last)

23) Countries represented by the winning Hambletonian trainers of the 21st century.

Australia 1 (Noel Daley 2011 (Broad Bahn)

Norway 1 (Trond Smedshammer 2004 Windsongs Legacy)

USA 6 (Ducharme-the LAST USA BORN trainer to win it 2013 Royalty For Life) Toscano, Sylvester, Schnittker, Elliott, Hammer  

Sweden 5 (Takter 3, Svandstedt, S. Melander)

Canada 7 (Blais, Doug McIntosh, Wellwood, Peck, Burgess 2, Rick Zeron) 

24) The LONGEST PRICED HORSE to get Hambo money in NJ? 201-1 shot Sherpa Kosmos 1988 4th for Benny Webster.  Starting from the second tier.

Hollywood Story

25) The BEST FOR LAST. READY?

Post Position #3 this year is Hollywood Story.

Post Position #3 has been favored three of the last four Hambos!

2016 Bar Hopping 5th even money 

2017 Devious Man 2nd 2-1

2018 Crystal Fashion 4th at 9-5

Post position three has had such notables start from there-Take a look. 

Gentle Stroke 2nd 1984

T V Yankee 6th 1983

Flak Bait 4th 1985

Britelite Lobell 3rd 1986

Mr Lavec 2nd 1994

Act Of Grace (Elim winner 1996) last in final

Yankee Glide 1997 last

Dreamaster 5th in 2000 as the fave-ONLY appearance for Hall Of Famer Dave Magee 

Strong Yankee 2005 4th 

NEVER HAS POST POSITION #3 won the Hambletonian in New Jersey! And that includes TWO 3 horse raceoffs! 0-38 (1989 had just two horses  in the race off Probe and Park Avenue Joe) ZERO FOR THIRTY EIGHT!!

August 6, 2020, Article & Photos by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — No trainer has ever won the Meadowlands Racetrack’s top events for 3-year-old pacers and trotters — the Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian Stakes — in the same year. Just being in the position to accomplish the feat is rare enough, but that is the spot in which Nancy Takter finds herself this year.

Takter won the Meadowlands Pace in July with Tall Dark Stranger. On Saturday, she sends out Ready For Moni in the $1 million Hambletonian final at The Big M. The only other trainer this century to win the Pace and have a Hambletonian finalist was Ray Schnittker in 2010, when One More Laugh captured the Pace and Cassis was eighth in the Hambletonian.

Schnittker is among seven trainers to win both the Pace and Hambletonian during their careers. The others are Billy Haughton, Ray Remmen, Chuck Sylvester, Blair Burgess, Steve Elliott, and Linda Toscano.

“I think that would be pretty awesome,” Takter said about winning the Pace and Hambletonian in the same year. “That would be pretty cool.”

Ready For Moni, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, is the 3-1 second choice on the Hambletonian morning line. He won his elimination last weekend by three-quarters of a length over Threefiftytwo in 1:51.3. The colt is 2-for-2 this year, with his first victory coming in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial in 1:51.4.

Ramona Hill, one of two fillies taking on the boys in the Hambletonian, is the 5-2 favorite. The Hambletonian is the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network will air a delayed one-hour broadcast of the Hambletonian from 6-7 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The stakes-filled card at The Meadowlands starts at noon.

“Ready For Moni trained really good Wednesday morning,” Takter said. “He came out of the elim really good and seems like he’s gotten a step better. Maybe he’ll be a little sharper after training and he’s as close to peaking as we can get him off of two starts for the year. But sometimes less is more. I think he’ll be fine.

“You want them to be fresh. Some horses do need a race, horses that are a little laid back. Horses that are racehorses, they show up on race day. As long as they have a foundation and conditioning, they don’t need a lot of racing.”

Ready For Moni is a son of French star Ready Cash out of Nothing But Moni. For his career he has won six of 10 races and $374,020. He is owned by John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman, and Bud Hatfield.

In addition to the Hambletonian, Takter has two horses in the $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old female trotters. Sorella is the 7-2 second choice and Panem is 6-1. Marcus Melander-trained Hypnotic AM is the 5-2 favorite.

Only two trainers have ever won the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks in the same year, Takter’s father Jimmy and Jan Johnson.

Sorella has won three of four races this year, including a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial in 1:50.2, and five of 13 races lifetime. She is owned by breeder Elmer Fannin, Crawford Farms Racing, and Brent Fannin. A daughter of Muscle Hill out of Kadealia, she starts the Oaks from post seven with driver Gingras.

“She trained really well; I was really happy with her, she looked awesome,” Takter said. “She looks like she could be in top condition for Saturday. I know Yannick is kind of happy with her spot behind the gate, so I think all systems are go with her. We just need some luck.”

Panem, a daughter of Father Patrick out of Katniss, has a win and three seconds in four starts this year. For her career, the homebred filly has won three of 14 races for Diamond Creek Racing. She will start the Oaks from post 11, in the second tier, with driver Dexter Dunn.

“She also trained very well,” Takter said. “The biggest obstacle is going to be the 11-hole, but it is what it is and I’m sure Dexter can figure out how to get her out at some point from there. If anybody can do it, he can.

“I’m looking forward to that race. I think both my horses are very good; we tossed around the idea of putting them in against the colts (in the Hambletonian). I think they’re both in a good spot.”

Takter has a total of 14 horses racing on Hambletonian Day, including Manchego in the Dr. John Steele Memorial, Tall Dark Stranger in the Cane Pace (the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown), Kissin In The Sand in the Lady Liberty, and Locatelli and Type A in the Peter Haughton Memorial.

“That’s good, it’ll keep me busy,” Takter said. “There’s no time for nerves then, you just have to keep getting your job done.”

For complete entries for Saturday’s card at The Big M, click here.

August 7, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — The Pinske and Allen families have several things in common. Both run businesses that have existed for more than 100 years. Both are longtime participants in harness racing. And, on Saturday, both will be hoping to win their first Hambletonian Stakes.

Amigo Volo carries the hopes of the Pinske family, as well as fellow owner David J. Miller. A year ago, the gelding gave the Pinskes their first Breeders Crown champion. Now, he is their first Hambletonian starter.

His task will not be easy, starting from post 10 in the $1 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands. Since the race moved to The Big M in 1981, no horse has won the Hambletonian final from post 10, although two horses — Pinkman in 2015 and Delvin G Hanover in 1984 — won eliminations from that spot. Pinkman went on to capture the final over filly Mission Brief.

Vicky Wright Photo

Amigo Volo, trained by Nifty Norman and driven by Dexter Dunn, has won two of five races this year and eight of 17 races lifetime. He finished third in his Hambletonian elimination and is 12-1 on the morning line. Ramona Hill, one of two fillies taking on the boys in this year’s Hambletonian, is the 5-2 favorite.

The Hambletonian is the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network will air a delayed one-hour broadcast of the Hambletonian from 6-7 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The stakes-filled card at The Meadowlands starts at noon.

“It’s going to be really tough,” Marlys Pinske said. “But anything can happen. It’s a well-matched group. I think right now Ramona Hill is standing out, but that’s the way it is.”

The Pinskes, who own a custom cabinetry and millwork business that dates back to the 19th century, have been involved in harness racing since the mid-1950s. Pinske Stables today is Marlys, her son Karl, and grandson Carter, who has followed in the footsteps of his late grandfather Tim as a trainer.

“All of the horses mean a lot to all of us,” Marlys said. “Amigo Volo is the best one right now, he’s the current one, but we’ve had a lot of good horses in the past. But he’s our first top trotting colt. I enjoy watching him, just the way he goes. The races that he won this year, he’s just gritty.

“We’ll be there (for the Hambletonian). I think there will be seven of us coming out. We’ll have our own cheering section. David Miller, the other owner, is coming too. We’re looking forward to it.”

What if Amigo Volo goes from being the Pinskes’ first Breeders Crown winner to first Hambletonian starter to first horse to win the final from post 10?

“That would be the perfect story,” Marlys said.

For the Allen family, their hopes rest with Big Oil. The colt, a son of Father Patrick out of Cee Bee Yes, was bred by brothers Jason and Doug Allen, who share ownership of the horse with their father Ron. The Allens raced Cee Bee Yes, who was a word-record-setter, and still own her as a broodmare.

Big Oil, trained by Julie Miller, has won two of four races this year and finished fourth in his Hambletonian elimination. He will start the final from post four with driver Andy Miller and is 15-1 on the morning line.

“I’m happy to be in the race,” Jason Allen said. “It would be even better if we could get a check. The filly looked pretty impressive. We need a good trip and a lot of luck. (Big Oil) always tries. You can leave with him, you can take him off the gate; he’s pretty handy.”

In 2016, the Allens finished third in the Hambletonian with Sutton, who was beaten a neck by Marion Marauder in a three-horse photo that included runner-up Southwind Frank.

“A few more steps and we might have gotten there,” Jason said.

Ron Allen got started in harness racing in the late 1980s, partnering with Bruce McElven to buy horses. Several years later, they bred Fool’s Goal, who at age 7 was the 2002 Dan Patch Award winner for best older male trotter and earned $3.05 million in his career.

“After you get a horse like that, when you win some big races, you want to get another one that wins big races,” Jason said. “But it’s not so easy.”

The Allen family runs an oil and propane business, which was started by Ron’s grandfather in 1919. Big Oil is a reference to a nickname a friend gave Ron.

“It kind of stuck, so we decided we would name a horse Big Oil,” Jason said. “We got a little lucky.”

Is it any more special to be in the Hambletonian with a homebred?

“It makes it a little nicer because you own the mare,” Jason said, “but it’s special to have any horse in the Hambletonian.”

$1 Million Hambletonian
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Ready For Moni-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-3/1
2-Back Of The Neck-Scott Zeron-Ake Svanstedt-4/1
3-Hollywood Story-David Miller-Marcus Melander-15/1
4-Big Oil-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1
5-Ramona Hill-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-5/2
6-Threefiftytwo-Daniel Dube-Luc Blais-6/1
7-Capricornus-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-15/1
8-Rome Pays Off-Mattias Melander-Marcus Melander-15/1
9-Sister Sledge-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-12/1
10-Amigo Volo-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman-12/1

August 5, 2020, by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Trenton, NJ — It has been one heck of a roller coaster ride for Ramona Hill where the Hambletonian is concerned. The journey has gone from uncertainty, to bleak dismay, to sheer euphoria, to odds-on favorite. And the race is still three days away!

In short order, the connections waited until the last minute to enter the filly, then watched disconcertingly as she fell into last place with just over a quarter-mile to go in last Saturday’s elimination. Amazingly, Andrew McCarthy drove her to victory from that point, sending shock waves through upstate New York.

The result is that Ramona Hill has been made the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday’s 95th Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands.

“No pressure there, huh?” said co-owner Michelle Crawford with a laugh. “I think (fellow owner) Brad Grant has to drive his truck down from Ontario so he can hold my hand through the whole thing.”

Crawford and her husband Al own and operate Crawford Farms in Syracuse, N.Y., where Ramona Hill was bred. They also have a stake in Atlanta, the last filly to win the Hambo in 2018.

Ramona Hill sold for $70,000 at the 2018 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale to the Crawfords, Grant, Robert LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners.

“We liked her at the sale,” Crawford said. “You never know who’s going to buy your horses. We said ‘If you guys would have us, we’ll take it.’ It just worked out well we were able to get back in on 25 percent and be the breeder.”

A daughter of Muscle Hill out of Lock Down Lindy, Ramona Hill took six firsts and a third last year in seven starts while being trained by Tony Alagna. The season culminated with a victory from post 10 in the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old filly trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She was then named the Dan Patch Award winner as 2-year-old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2019.

Due to COVID-19, she only raced twice this year prior to the Hambletonian eliminations, finishing third in her debut in the Reynolds Memorial before winning the Del Miller Memorial in 1:50.3 from post 10 on July 18 at The Meadowlands.

“Pulling up after that mile — and it doesn’t happen very often — but I actually got goosebumps,” McCarthy said of the Del Miller. “Hats off to the horse. I’ve just got so much respect for her. She’s just a game, tough horse, and will do whatever you ask her to do. And she enjoys it.”

When it came to entering her in the Hambo, Crawford said the decision was basically going to be made by Alagna and Grant, since he was the majority owner. But, she added, everyone would have a voice.

“We said ‘Tony, you’re the trainer, you’re going to tell us if she can handle this; and we respect Brad’s opinion and value that,” Crawford said. “I think we were all just of the opinion of ‘Yeah, why not.’ Of course, as a breeder, you’re like ‘No way, this is not happening.’

“But it happened last weekend right before the draw. It wasn’t like it was preplanned and premeditated, we just let it play out. We all made the decision together. That’s how it should be.”

So, this past Saturday night, the Crawfords lit a bonfire on their back deck and gathered around a TV with friends Chad and Heather Marshall. Chad is operations manager for Crawford Farms while Heather (formerly Reese) is a breeding manager. The foursome, which always gathers for big races, had their excitement turn to disbelief once the race got underway as Ramona Hill fell to the back.

“I had a little pit in my stomach,” Crawford said. “I was like ‘Whew, this isn’t going like I thought it would be going.’ I think everyone just wants to see their horse do well and draw the one through five for the final. I think that was on my mind at first, and then it felt like everything was just slipping away and at that point I’m like ‘Look, we just need to get in.’”

And then it happened. After trotting dead last over the first three-quarters, Ramona Hill exploded for a :25.4 final quarter to overtake the field and, unknowingly, scare the heck out of Crawford’s neighbors.

“I’m pretty sure my neighbors thought I was dying over here, or something was happening to me,” Crawford said. “It was really kind of crazy. When she came flying home, we were crazy. We were all screaming and jumping up and down. It was so exciting. I can’t imagine it coming out any other way. The feeling we had when she won, it was like she won the Hambo. It was definitely an ‘ah hah’ moment.

“I wish I were there. The people who were there were screaming ‘girl power’ as she was coming from the stretch, which gave me goose bumps. From everything I’ve read and heard, it’s your proud parent moment.”

The deck got so loud, Crawford thinks the noise carried 250 miles.

“I’m pretty sure Tony could hear me at The Meadowlands,” she said.

The victory guaranteed Ramona Hill a one-through-five post for the Hambo, and she ended up in the five hole. Getting good draws is one thing the horse can’t seem to master.

“Tony said she might be blinded by the toteboard if she ever draws a one or two,” Crawford said.

Unlucky posts have yet to deter Ramona Hill, as she gives the Crawfords another filly with a chance to make her name against the sport’s top male 3-year-old trotters. This situation is slightly different, though, as they bought into Atlanta just months before the 2018 Hambo. The emotional attachment is a little stronger this time with Ramona Hill.

“Of course it is, because we bred her,” Crawford said. “We love Lock Down Lindy, so I’m super attached to her mom. She’s actually back in foal with a full brother or sister in the belly, a Muscle Hill. We brought her to the new farm we’re building. She’s turned out up here. So you’re closer because you’re attached to the family.”

Crawford added that they have grown attached to Atlanta since they have been together for three years, but their relationship started as a financial venture.

“It was overwhelming we could buy into a filly for the price we did and then win the Hambo,” she said. “It was almost like ‘Oh my God I threw myself on the ledge and now I can peel myself back off the ledge.’ It was a lot of overwhelming feelings for a filly to win a Hambo but it was a financial relief that we made the right decision buying her at the price we did.”

In comparing the two, Crawford feels that Ramona Hill needs a little more attention.

“Atlanta always just put her head down and just did it,” she said. “She’s super sound all the time. I think that we’ve had to take a little bit of time with Ramona. Tony’s been very cautious since we started her as a 2-year-old. We’ve had to watch her knees. He was very calculated in her 2-year-old year. He saw signs of greatness there and managed her carefully.

“It’s the same thing coming back this year. She’s got some ouches and she just goes with it. Her heart just keeps going. Tony’s always watching, making sure she comes out of the race well.”

Because of those “ouches” it may be a blessing that Ramona Hill has not raced often this year.

“She hasn’t been over-raced and I think we’ve been aggressively getting race ready,” said Crawford, who plans on being at The Meadowlands this Saturday with her Ramona Hill face masks. “With what she’s shown us, she definitely deserves a shot. And you can’t leave out Andy McCarthy, who knows her so well. He’s a great judge. He and Tony have a great relationship. We rely heavily on them. And at this point I don’t see anybody jumping up and down thinking ‘You’re crazy thinking she can go with the boys.’

After the horse’s incredible effort in the eliminations, Crawford is not surprised Ramona Hill is the morning line favorite. She knows, of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything.

“Obviously she’s still got some super-stiff competition in there,” Crawford said. “She’s in tough, nobody’s going to take that for granted. I think we had a tough division on Saturday and she drove like a rock star. The fact she was dead last and rallied and came home in :25.4 tells me she’s capable of anything.

“I just always wish everybody good luck. It’s a big day for everybody. I’m sure everybody has the same angst and anxiety as I do. We’re going to drive down, stay isolated as well as we can, but enjoy it live and in person. We have quite a bit of racing that day. We’ve had a pretty exciting couple of months right now.”

And a very exciting two weeks leading up to Saturday.

$1 Million Hambletonian
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Ready For Moni-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-3/1
2-Back Of The Neck-Scott Zeron-Ake Svanstedt-4/1
3-Hollywood Story-David Miller-Marcus Melander-15/1
4-Big Oil-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1
5-Ramona Hill-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-5/2
6-Threefiftytwo-Daniel Dube-Luc Blais-6/1
7-Capricornus-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-15/1
8-Rome Pays Off-Mattias Melander-Marcus Melander-15/1
9-Sister Sledge-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-12/1
10-Amigo Volo-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman-12/1

August 4, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Judy Taylor has spent decades in the harness racing game, first with her husband Jerry and then also with her son Howard after he followed in his dad’s footsteps, and she says her horse buying days are drawing to an end.

So, if her partnership with Howard on Hambletonian Stakes finalist Back Of The Neck represents something of a last hurrah, it also has presented ample reason for Judy to exclaim hurray.

Back Of The Neck is the 4-1 third choice on the morning line in Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands. The colt has two wins and two seconds in four races this year, with his first setback coming by a nose in his seasonal debut and the other by a half-length to Ramona Hill in last weekend’s Hambletonian eliminations.

Sandwiched between those races were two 1:52 wins, first in a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial and the second in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial. The Taylors share ownership of Back Of The Neck, a son of French star Ready Cash out of Big Barb, with breeder Stefan Balazsi’s Order By Stable.

For his career, Back Of The Neck has won five of 13 races and $216,320. He will start the Hambletonian from post two with Scott Zeron driving for trainer Ake Svanstedt. Ramona Hill, one of two fillies in the race, is the 5-2 favorite from post five for driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Tony Alagna.

The Hambletonian is the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network will air a delayed one-hour broadcast of the Hambletonian from 6-7 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The stakes-filled card at The Meadowlands starts at noon.

“I’ve been in the business for a lot of years, but I’ve never had anything quite like this,” Judy said. “It’s very, very exciting. We’ll just hope for the best. I’ve experienced enough of this to know that sometimes you’re disappointed. Hopefully, this time I won’t be, and we’ll be in the winner’s circle.”

This not Judy’s first Hambletonian horse. She and Howard were among the owners of Jacksons Minion, who finished fifth in the 2015 Hambletonian. Jacksons Minion was 58-1.

“This is definitely a little different caliber,” Judy said.

Jerome “Jerry” Taylor, a Philadelphia-based attorney who passed away in 2013, got the family started in racing when he decided in the early 1970s to buy a horse. The horse he purchased was Leander Lobell, who as a 3-year-old raced on the Grand Circuit against the likes of Most Happy Fella and Columbia George. Except, Jerry bought the horse at age 4.

“My husband wanted to be in the horse business, which was rather alien to someone like him,” Judy said with a laugh. “But, anyway, he decided he wanted a horse because he had gone out to Brandywine and Liberty Bell for many years.

“He went with a friend to a horse sale, and he knew as much about horses as you know about moon walks. They bought a horse in the sale that was the most expensive one because they thought that’s how you get a good one. They didn’t know anything, all they did was buy a horse. But that’s how it all started.”

Jerry, though, enjoyed his share of successes over the years, among the most notable New Jersey Sire Stakes and Grand Circuit champion Devil’s Adversary, and loved the sport.

“Horses mean a lot to me, but they meant even more to him,” Howard said. “He never, ever missed a race. He would go everywhere, and he absolutely loved them.

“I remember friends of his would get mad at him because he would never make plans to go anywhere until after the draw came out. You couldn’t call him up to see what he was doing next weekend because he wanted to see if his horse got in to race. He knew what he was doing if the horse got in.”

Howard developed his own passion for racing, getting licensed as a trainer and driver in addition to owning horses. Howard, also an attorney, was among the owners of 2018 Hambletonian winner Atlanta and his many other notable horses included three-time Dan Patch Award winning trotter Buck I St Pat.

“When kids went to camp in the summertime, he went to the track and learned how to rig a horse and all that,” Judy said. “He always loved it since he was a kid.

“He’s very knowledgeable. I listen to what he tells me. I told him this is my last hurrah; I’ll go with you (on a horse) if it’s OK and hopefully we’ll have a little luck. You buy what you think is good, the breeding is good, and then you hope for the best. He’s been very successful. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

Howard said as thrilled as he is for another chance to win the Hambletonian, he’s most happy for his mom.

“She’s nervous, but she is very excited,” Howard said. “She’s having a good time.”

$1 Million Hambletonian
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Ready For Moni-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-3/1
2-Back Of The Neck-Scott Zeron-Ake Svanstedt-4/1
3-Hollywood Story-David Miller-Marcus Melander-15/1
4-Big Oil-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1
5-Ramona Hill-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-5/2
6-Threefiftytwo-Scott Zeron, Luc Blais-6/1
7-Capricornus-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-15/1
8-Rome Pays Off-Mattias Melander-Marcus Melander-15/1
9-Sister Sledge-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-12/1
10-Amigo Volo-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman-12/1

By Ellen Harvey & Kathy Parker

The 2020 Hambletonian is Saturday, August 8th.  Post time for the Hambletonian is 4:35 pm and can be viewed live at PlayMeadowlands.com CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, will present a delayed 60-minute broadcast of the $1 million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks from The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J., on Sat., Aug. 8, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. [EDT] Both races have scheduled eliminations the week before on Sat., Aug. 1.  The Hambletonian is the first and most prestigious leg of the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network has been the broadcast home of the Hambletonian since 2012.

1 -

Ramona Hill

(Muscle Hill) Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna, Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert Leblanc, In The Gym Partners

Dan Patch Award winning filly unleashed a 1:50.3 career best from post ten in the Del Miller, uncorked a :25.4 rally for the ages in to win her elimination in 1:51.2, “She’s been great,” Alagna said. “She was a very immature 2-year-old and she was still able to get the job done. We were so happy with how she came back (in the winter) in Florida. Her first start, she raced super off the pace and two weeks ago she was sparkling and tonight she’s even better.”

2 - Ready For Moni

(Ready Cash) Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Conn, Herb Liverman, Bud Hatfield

Rallied to win his Team Takter debut in a Dancer division in 1:51.4, cruised to a new mark of 1:51.3 in his elimination, “The way the schedule has been this year, it’s been a little difficult to find races,” Takter said. “We didn’t want to have him over-raced going into the Hambletonian, so he had a couple nice qualifiers to kind of let him get into his own and hopefully he’ll take this race in the right way and be even sharper for next week.”

3 - Back Of The Neck

(Ready Cash) Scott Zeron, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor

Scott Zeron looks for his third Hambo in five years, won a Reynolds division @ Big M on July 11 in 1:52 with a thunderous :26.4 rally, romped in a Dancer division in a career best equaling 1:52, second [1:51.2] to Ramona Hill in his elimination

4 - Threefiftytwo

(Royalty For Life) Bob McClure, Luc Blais, Determination

Last year’s Hambletonian upsetters with Forbidden Trade are back with an OSS performer who took a mark of 1:52.3 @ Mohawk on July 13, finished second [1:51.4] in his elimination

5 - Amigo Volo

(Father Patrick) Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David J. Miller

Breeders Crown champion won a PASS division @ Pocono Downs in a careerbest of 1:52 on July 26, third [1:51.4] in the first Hambo elimination, DexterDunn was fourth from post ten last year

6 - Sister Sledge

(Father Patrick) Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, Burke Racing Stable, Jason Melillo, J & T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi

Won her first two stakes as a 3YO @ The Meadows, second [1:52.4] in PASS @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, took a mark of 1:51.2 in a Tompkins Geers division, fourth [1:52] in the second elimination

7 - Hollywood Story

(Muscle Hill) Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.

Melander said he’s a green colt with only seven starts, yet getting improving, second [1:52] to Ready for Moni in a Dancer division, fifth [1:52] in his elimination

8 - Rome Pays Off

(Muscle Hill) Mattias Melander, Marcus Melander,S R F Stable

2019 Breeders Crown runner up made it two-for-two this season with a solid score in the Tompkins Geers with a career best of 1:52.3 on July 25, parked fifth [1:52.1] in the second elimination

9 Capricornus

(Cantab Hall) Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, Jj Racing Stable

Melander finished second, third & fifth in last year’s Hambletonian, second in the William Wellwood Memorial at two, rebounded with a solid third from the rail [1:52] in his elimination

10 -

Big Oil

(Father Patrick) Andy & Julie Miller, Jason, Doug & Ron Allen

Team Orange Crush hit the board three straight years 2016-2018, won a PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs in 1:53.2, third [1:52.3] in a Dancer division, fourth [1:52] in his elimination

KEY PREP RACES Hambletonian Eligibles in Caps Date Stakes Site Winner Driver Trainer 2nd Horse 3rd Horse Time

June 19 NJSS M JULA TRIX TREASURE Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Play Trix On Me Barley 1:54

June 21 NYSS TD HYPNOTIC AM Brian Sears Marcus Melander REBA BLUE CHIP Munster 1:54.2

June 24 NYSS V THIRD SHIFT Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Take The Credit Ballcapsnbluejeans 1:54.2

June 24 NYSS V BERKERY J Scott Zeron George Ducharme Chaptiana Barn Holden 1:54.2

June 26 NJSS M Play Trix On Me Scott Zeron Linda Toscano Barley JULA TRIX TREASURE 1:53.2

June 27 $25,000 M SORELLA Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter BACK OF THE NECK SYNERGY 1:51.2

July 3 NJSS Final M Play Trix On Me Scott Zeron Linda Toscano JULA TRIX TREASURE AP Hall Of Trix 1:53.3

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V HYPNOTIC AM Brian Sears Marcus Melander LOVE A GOOD STORY NO MAS DRAMA 1:53.4

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V THIRD SHIFT Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Ballcapsnbluejeans Sir Cromwell 1:52.4

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V HOBBS Jason Bartlett Jim Campbell Take The Credit Barn Holden 1:53.3

July 11 Reynolds M JULA TRIX TREASURE Yannick Gingras Ake Svanstedt BEADS EL Ideal 1:51.2

July 11 Reynolds M SORELLA Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter PANEM RAMONA HILL 1:50.2

July 11 Reynolds M BACK OF THE NECK Scott Zeron Ake Svanstedt Play Trix On Me MAESTERAEMON 1:52

July 11 PA Allstars PD AMIGO VOLO George Napolitano, Jr. Nifty Norman SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE Hell Patrol 1:54

July 11 PA Allstars PD BIG OIL Andrew McCarthy Julie Miller CHESTNUT HILL STEEL SCHOONER 1:53.2

July 18 Stanley Dancer M BACK OF THE NECK Scott Zeron Ake Svanstedt THIRD SHIFT BIG OIL 1:52

July 18 Stanley Dancer M READY FOR MONI Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter HOLLYWOOD STORY BEADS 1:51.4

July 18 Del Miller M RAMONA HILL Andrew McCarthy Tony Alagna PANEM HYPNOTIC AM 1:50.3

July 25 Tompkins Geers M ROME PAYS OFF Mattias Melander Marcus Melander Play Trix On Me JULA TRIX TREASURE 1:52.3

July 25 Tompkins Geers M SISTER SLEDGE Yannick Gingras Ron Burke MS SAVANNAH BELLE Dubai Princess 1:51.2

Aug. 1 Hambo Elim M

Aug. 1 Hambo Elim M

August 3, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Only once since 1992 has a trainer won the Hambletonian Stakes in consecutive years, but Luc Blais hopes he can accomplish the feat Saturday (Aug. 8).

Blais won last year’s Hambletonian with Forbidden Trade, who upset favorite Greenshoe to win harness racing’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters. This year, he sends Threefiftytwo to the $1 million final at The Meadowlands. Threefiftytwo finished second to Ready For Moni in his Hambletonian elimination this past weekend and is 6-1 on the morning line.

Jimmy Takter is the most recent trainer to win the Hambletonian in back-to-back years, with Trixton in 2014 and Pinkman in 2015.

“We’ve got a chance, that’s for sure; we’re in,” Blais said, adding with a laugh, “The first part is to be in. The second part is tougher. Everything needs to be perfect that day. A healthy horse, the best trip, everything needs to be perfect.”

The Hambletonian is the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network will air a delayed one-hour broadcast of the Hambletonian from 6-7 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The stakes-filled card at The Meadowlands starts at noon.

Threefiftytwo has won five of 13 career races and $167,818. His victories last year included a leg of the Define The World Series and two legs of the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold series. He finished fourth in the sire stakes final.

Mike Lizzi Photo

This season, Threefiftytwo has a win and a second in four races. His triumph came in a conditioned race at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:52.3. In his start prior to the Hambletonian elim, he went off stride in a division of the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold series.

The colt is owned by Determination stable, which also owned Forbidden Trade. Threefiftytwo is a son of 2013 Hambletonian winner Royalty For Life out of Four Damsals and was trained by Royalty For Life’s conditioner George Ducharme before being purchased by Determination following his first start.

“He’s a nice horse,” Blais said. “He was a tricky horse a little bit in the beginning. I think it took us a little time to figure him out. We made a few changes. I think this year he is more mature. I know he made a break the start before (the elimination) but I think he went too fast in the turn. Two weeks ago, he raced super good and the other night he looked good again. He raced very good.”

For the past seven years, the Hambletonian eliminations and final were raced on the same day. This year, the format returned to contesting eliminations the week prior to the final, which Blais said is a benefit to Threefiftytwo.

“He’s a different horse than Forbidden Trade,” Blais said. “He’s more anxious, he’s not a cool horse. To have the elimination and then the final the week after is perfect for him. That is better than a doubleheader, that’s for sure.”

Hambletonian elimination winners Ramona Hill, one of two fillies taking on the boys along with Sister Sledge, and Ready For Moni were guaranteed starting spots in posts one through five for the final. Ramona Hill will start from post five and is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Ready For Moni will start from post one and is 3-1.

Threefiftytwo will start from post six. Scott Zeron drove the colt in his elimination, but also is listed to drive 4-1 Back Of The Neck in the final.

“That’s a good draw for him,” Blais said. “He likes to leave a little bit and that’s a good place for him. He will be very focused for that.

“It’s exciting all the time to race in this kind of race,” Blais added. “It is a big race. We enjoyed the moment (last year).”

In addition to having Threefiftytwo in the Hambletonian, Blais has long shot Whose Blues in the $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old female trotters. Whose Blues, a daughter of Cantab Hall out of Bright Baby Blues, finished eighth in an Oaks prep this past weekend at The Meadowlands.

Deuce Photo

Whose Blues won the Pure Ivory Series last year. She has won six of 13 career races and $92,874 for owner Determination. She is 20-1 on the Oaks morning line.

“She raced just OK,” Blais said. “I’m going to try to work on that.”

$1 Million Hambletonian
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Ready For Moni-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-3/1
2-Back Of The Neck-Scott Zeron-Ake Svanstedt-4/1
3-Hollywood Story-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-15/1
4-Big Oil-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1
5-Ramona Hill-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-5/2
6-Threefiftytwo-Scott Zeron, Luc Blais-6/1
7-Capricornus-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-15/1
8-Rome Pays Off-Mattias Melander-Marcus Melander-15/1
9-Sister Sledge-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-12/1
10-Amigo Volo-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman-12/1

$600,000 Hambletonian Oaks
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Crucial-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke-15/1
2-Next Level Stuff-Tim Tetrick-Jim Campbell-9/2
3-Reba Blue Chip-Verlin Yoder-Verlin Yoder-20/1
4-May Baby-James Yoder-James Yoder-10/1
5-Tricky Sister-Corey Callahan-Andrew Harris-20/1
6-Whose Blues-Daniel Dube-Luc Blais-20/1
7-Sorella-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-7/2
8-Fortune Starlet-No Driver-George Ducharme-15/1
9-Solsbury Hill-Scott Zeron-Rick Zeron-12/1
10-Ab’sattitudexpress-Tim Tetrick-Lucas Wallin-20/1
11-Panem-Dexter Dunn-Nancy Takter-6/1
12-Hypnotic AM-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander-5/2

August 1, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

East Rutherford, NJ — Ramona Hill rallied from the back of the pack to defeat Back Of The Neck in the first of Saturday’s two $50,000 Hambletonian Stakes eliminations at the Meadowlands and Ready For Moni rolled to victory in the second as the stage was set for next week’s $1 million final.

The Hambletonian is harness racing’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters. The top-five finishers from each elimination advanced to the Aug. 8 final at the Big M.

Joining Ramona Hill (Andrew McCarthy) and Back Of The Neck (Scott Zeron) in the final from the first elim were, in order of finish, Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn), Big Oil (Andy Miller), and Hollywood Story (Tim Tetrick). Joining Ready For Moni from the second elim were Threefiftytwo (Zeron), Capricornus (Tetrick), Sister Sledge (Brian Sears), and Rome Pays Off (Mattias Melander).

Ramona Hill and Sister Sledge are fillies. This was the first time multiple fillies took on the boys in the Hambletonian since Act Of Grace and Continentalvictory in 1996, and only the second time since 1983.

Marcus Melander, the 2019 Trainer of the Year in the U.S., has three of the finalists: Capricornus, Hollywood Story, and Rome Pays Off. Threefiftytwo is trained by Luc Blais, who won last year’s Hambletonian with Forbidden Trade.

As elimination winners, Ramona Hill and Ready For Moni got to draw for posts in positions one through five. Ready For Moni, who was randomly selected first to draw, got post one and Ramona Hill got post five. Posts two through four went to Back Of The Neck, Hollywood Story, and Big Oil, respectively. Starting outside Ramona Hill in posts six through 10 will be Threefiftytwo, Capricornus, Rome Pays Off, Sister Sledge, and Amigo Volo.

In the first elimination, Ramona Hill, the 2019 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly trotter, was last in the eight-horse field and forced three-wide around the final turn before flying home and besting Back Of The Neck by a half-length in 1:51.2. Her last quarter was timed in :25.4.

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Andy McCarthy drove Ramona Hill, the 6-5 favorite, for trainer Tony Alagna. Ramona Hill, who captured the Del Miller Memorial on July 18 in 1:50.3 at the Meadowlands, has won two of three starts this season.

“She’s been great,” Alagna said. “She was a very immature 2-year-old and she was still able to get the job done. We were so happy with how she came back (in the winter) in Florida. Her first start, she raced super off the pace and two weeks ago she was sparkling and tonight she’s even better.”

Alagna was patient with Ramona Hill last year, giving the filly a midseason break in a campaign that culminated with a win in the Breeders Crown from post 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

“I knew what we had, we just had to do the right thing,” Alagna said. “We waited on her when she needed it and she paid us back.”

Ramona Hill is a daughter of Muscle Hill out of Lock Down Lindy. She is owned by Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc, and In The Gym Partners. She was bred by Crawford Farms. For her career, she has won eight of 10 races and $556,865.

Alagna said the decision to enter Ramona Hill in the Hambletonian rather than the all-fillies Hambletonian Oaks was made last Sunday.

“I think as a group we all kind of knew what we were all thinking in the back of our minds, but we all waited to pull the trigger at the same time,” Alagna said. “We were all willing to give it a shot. The big decision was the fact they don’t go two heats on one day.”

In the second elimination, Ready For Moni took the lead at the half-mile mark and never looked back on his way to victory by three-quarters of a length over Threefiftytwo in 1:51.3.

Yannick Gingras drove Ready For Moni, the 6-5 favorite, for trainer Nancy Takter. Ready For Moni is 2-for-2 this year, winning a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial in 1:51.4 on July 18 at the Meadowlands in his seasonal debut.

“The way the schedule has been this year, it’s been a little difficult to find races,” Takter said. “We didn’t want to have him over-raced going into the Hambletonian, so he had a couple nice qualifiers to kind of let him get into his own and hopefully he’ll take this race in the right way and be even sharper for next week.

“There are a lot of small parts to the puzzle that need to be put together in the right spot for everything to go perfectly on Hambletonian Day,” Takter added. “But with the win here we get post-position relief, so that will be a big help. But there are a lot of things that need to go right.”

Ready For Moni is a son of French star Ready Cash out of the mare Nothing But Moni. He is owned by John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman, and Bud Hatfield. The colt was bred by Moni Maker Stable.

For his career, Ready For Moni has won six of 10 races and $374,020. He joined Takter’s stable this year.

“Ready For Moni was trained down in Florida with Lindy Farms through his winter training and came to me a few weeks ago, right before he was getting ready to qualify,” Takter said. “So, they did all the heavy lifting with him, we’ve just kind of done the fine-tuning to get him a little bit sharper for the races. They did a great job with him and they get a lot of credit for how the horse is right now.”

$1 Million Hambletonian Final DrawPP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML

1. Ready For Moni (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter), 3-1

2. Back Of The Neck (Scott Zeron, Ake Svanstedt), 4-1

3. Hollywood Story (Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander), 15-1

4. Big Oil (Andy Miller, Julie Miller), 15-1

5. Ramona Hill (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna), 5-2

6. Threefiftytwo (Scott Zeron, Luc Blais), 6-1

7. Capricornus (Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander), 15-1

8. Rome Pays Off (Mattias Melander, Marcus Melander), 15-1

9. Sister Sledge (Brian Sears, Ron Burke), 12-1

10. Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman), 12-1

$600,000 Hambletonian Oaks DrawPP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML

1. Crucial (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke), 15-1

2. Next Level Stuff (Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell), 9-2

3. Reba Blue Chip (Verlin Yoder, Verlin Yoder), 20-1

4. May Baby (James Yoder, James Yoder), 10-1

5. Tricky Sister (Corey Callahan, Andrew Harris), 20-1

6. Whose Blues (Daniel Dube, Luc Blais), 20-1

7. Sorella (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter), 7-2

8. Fortune Starlet (No Driver, George Ducharme), 15-1

9. Solsbury Hill (Scott Zeron, Rick Zeron), 12-1

10. Ab’sattitudexpress (Tim Tetrick, Lucas Wallin), 20-1

11. Panem (Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter), 6-1

12. Hypnotic AM (Brian Sears, Marcus Melander), 5-2

East Rutherford, NJ - The FanDuel SportsBook at the Meadowlands Racetrack is rolling out some interesting and entertaining Hambo-related prop bets for the Hambletonian Eliminations (races 6 & 8) tomorrow Saturday, August 1.

 Some intriguing bets include:

·         The two fillies, Ramona Hill & Sister Sledge both advance to the final (-105)

·         Scott Zeron to finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in both Race 6 & 8 (+220)

·         “Chalk It Down” – Sister Sledge or Ready for Moni to Win Race 8 (-150)

The complete list of prop bets are below:

You may wager right at the FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack if you attend the track tomorrow or open an account online if you are within the confines of the state of New Jersey.

Info on the 95th Hambletonian can be found at http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/hambletonian/  and https://www.hambletonian.com/

Info on the FanDuel SportsBook at the Meadowlands Racetrack can be found at https://playmeadowlands.com/dining/victorysportsbar.html

July 30, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — On Saturday (Aug. 1), trainer Julie Miller will experience her Hambletonian present. One night earlier, maybe she will get a glimpse at her Hambletonian future.

Miller sends out Big Oil in the first of Saturday’s two $50,000 Hambletonian eliminations at The Meadowlands. The top-five finishers from each elim advance to the $1 million final for 3-year-old trotters Aug. 8 at The Big M.

On Friday, she will watch Venerate in the lone $20,000 elimination of the Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters at The Meadowlands. The top-seven finishers will join bye recipients Locatelli, Spy Booth, and Type A in the final, also Aug. 8.

Big Oil is 10-1 on the morning line in his Hambletonian elimination. Andy Miller will drive the colt, who starts from post four. Back Of The Neck is the 2-1 favorite, followed by Amigo Volo at 7-2, Beads at 9-2, and Dan Patch Award winning filly Ramona Hill at 5-1. Ready For Moni is the 5-2 favorite in the second elimination.

“I’m proud just to be in the race, first of all,” Miller said. “I think that’s a really deep group. I think it’s the tougher (elimination) but it’s going to be even tougher next week, so we might as well get it figured out this Saturday. I just hope we have a little luck. Actually, a lot of luck.”

Big Oil, a son of Father Patrick out of former Miller standout and world-record-setter Cee Bee Yes, won two of eight races last year and hit the board a total of six times. He finished in a dead-heat for win with Real Cool Sam in a division of the International Stallion Stakes at Red Mile in 1:52.1, a clocking that was the second fastest of the year for a 2-year-old male trotter.

This season, Big Oil opened with wins in a conditioned race and division of the Pennsylvania All-Stars before finishing third behind Back Of The Neck and Third Shift in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial.

“I’ve been trying to manage him and get ready for this race,” Miller said. “I just hope I’ve got my I’s dotted and my T’s crossed. I think he’s special, but of course because he’s mine, I think that way. I just hope I’ve got him the best he can be and he can leave it all on the racetrack.

“When Andy gets behind him and they start to go, he gives 110 percent. He’s handy, it’s not like he’s got to be raced from behind or he’s got to be up front or he’s got to have this or that. He has a good relationship with Andy and when Andy asks, he’s going to deliver.”

Big Oil, a homebred owned by Jason Allen, Doug Allen, and Ron Allen, also owns a big personality.

“No matter what is going on, he never loses his zest for life,” Miller said. “He has this whinny where he doesn’t open his mouth, it’s like an internal one; it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. He’s got such a personality. Anybody that comes in the barn, everybody knows him. He makes sure his presence is felt. He’s just a fun horse in that respect.”

Prior to last year, Miller posted three consecutive top-three finishes in Hambletonian finals. In 2018, Met’s Hall finished second to Atlanta. In 2017, Devious Man was third-placed-second and a year earlier Sutton was a fast-closing third, beaten only a neck, in the race won by Marion Marauder.

As for the Haughton elim, Venerate won his only start this year, a 1:55.1 triumph in a conditioned race at The Meadowlands on July 17. The colt is 7-2 on the morning line, second choice behind 3-1 Caruso from Hall of Famer Joe Holloway’s stable.

“He’s just been a pleasure,” Miller said. “He doesn’t realize what he’s doing yet and it’s fun to see his development. He’s a big good-looking colt. People always ask me, ‘Who is that?’ He’s eye-catching on the track.”

Venerate is a son of standout French sire Love You out of Peaceful Kemp. He sold for $90,000 at last fall’s Lexington Selected Sale and his family includes 2014 Hambletonian winner Trixton as well as Dan Patch Award winners Andover Hall and Conway Hall. He is owned by Pinske Stables and Andy Miller Stable Inc.

Carter Pinske had the colt in Florida for the winter before sending him north to Miller’s stable in New Jersey.

“We went down a couple times to train with Carter and we were really impressed with him,” Miller said. “As luck would have it, he is Kentucky sired, which starts (its sire stakes series) after this race, so we really just babied him along. I was happy with his race, for him to get stretched out a little to see what we’ve got. I think he deserves a chance in (the Haughton).”

In addition to the Haughton elimination on Friday, there are two $20,000 elims of the Jim Doherty Memorial for 2-year-old female trotters. Insta Glam, 2-for-2 on the Pennsylvania stakes circuit for trainer Nancy Takter, is the 7-5 favorite in the first; New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Altar, from trainer Per Engblom’s stable, is the 8-5 choice in the second.

Racing begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT) Friday and Saturday at The Meadowlands. For Friday’s complete entries, click here. For Saturday, click here.

July 29, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightsown, NJ — Ake Svanstedt believes Back Of The Neck has got it all, which is everything a horse needs in the Hambletonian.

Back Of The Neck is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the first of Saturday’s (Aug. 1) two $50,000 Hambletonian Stakes eliminations at The Meadowlands. The colt is a nose from being unbeaten in three races this season and will start from post one with Scott Zeron in the sulky for trainer Svanstedt.

Lisa Photo

The top-five finishers from each elimination advance to the $1 million Hambletonian final Aug. 8 at the Big M. Elim winners draw for post one through five for the final. The Hambletonian is racing’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters.

Svanstedt will send out a total of four horses in the eliminations, with Third Shift joining Back Of The Neck in the first, followed by Jula Trix Treasure and Moon Bridge in the second.

First post is at 7:15 p.m. (EDT) and the Hambletonian eliminations are races six and eight on the 13-race card.

Back Of The Neck, trained by Marcus Melander in 2019, won three of nine races last year, including a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial and an elimination of the Willliam Wellwood Memorial. He finished third in the Wellwood final.

This year, the colt was second in a 3-year-old open before winning divisions of the Reynolds and Stanley Dancer Memorial, both in 1:52. All three starts were at The Meadowlands.

“He has won with power left every time,” Svanstedt said. “He feels good and he trains good. I think he’s in good condition.

“He is a strong horse. He has a big engine and is good gaited. I think he has a good head also. I think he has everything. But for a horse to have a chance to win the Hambletonian, they must have everything. They must have the power, they must have the speed, and they must have the heart. They must want to win.”

Back Of The Neck raced on the lead in his first start in 2020, but from off the pace in his most recent outings, winning with strong stretch drives.

“Scott said he was grabby the first time, but the last two races he hasn’t been grabby,” Svanstedt said. “It was no problem to back off. He is very nice to drive and he can come home very fast.”

Zeron is already a two-time winner of the Hambletonian at the age of 31. He won in 2018 with Atlanta and in 2016 with Marion Marauder, who went on to sweep the Trotting Triple Crown (Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot, Kentucky Futurity).

Back Of The Neck is owned by Howard Taylor, Judy Taylor, and breeder Order By Stable. The colt is a son of French star Ready Cash out of Big Barb. Ready Cash also sired the favorite in the second Hambletonian elimination, Ready For Moni.

Fotowon Photo

Third Shift heads to his Hambletonian elim off a second-place finish behind Back Of The Neck in the Dancer. In his other two starts this season, he won a division of the New York Sire Stakes and a division of the Empire Breeders Classic.

Last year, the son of Chapter Seven-Overnight Command won three of eight races, including the New York Sire Stakes championship. He will start from post two in his Hambletonian elim, with Svanstedt driving.

“I think Back Of The Neck is a better horse, but Third Shift is not so bad,” said Svanstedt, who owns Third Shift with Mellby Gard Inc. “I raced him (on the lead) last time, drove him tough, because I wanted to stretch him out before the Hambo. I think he can do better.”

Svanstedt also will drive Jula Trix Treasure in the second Hambletonian elimination. Jula Trix Treasure, by 2014 Hambletonian winner Trixton out of Victory Treasure, won a division of the Reynolds on July 11 in 1:51.2, which is tied for the second-fastest victory time by any of the 17 horses entered in the Hambletonian.

Lisa Photo

For his career, he has won four of 10 races for owner Jula Racing. He enters his Hambletonian elim off a fifth-place finish in the Tompkins-Geers Stakes last week. He will start from post three and is 6-1 on the morning line.

“The last race he wasn’t a hundred percent gaited and lost ground in the last turn,” Svanstedt said. “We’re going to do some small changes to try to make his gait better. He’s always been strong and comes home good. He’s a fighter.”

Moon Bridge, who will have Andy Miller in the sulky, has a win and a second in three starts this year. His triumph came in his most recent race, July 17, by 12-1/4 lengths in 1:52.2. The Hambletonian elim will be his first Grand Circuit race of the season.

Last year, he won two of eight races, including the Ontario Sire Stakes championship. Moon Bridge, a son of E L Titan-Classic Belle, will start Saturday from post nine and is 20-1. He is owned by Esa Lahtinen, Janne Korpi, and Jussi Hietalahti.

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“He’s good gaited and he always does the job,” said Svanstedt, who won the 2017 Hambletonian with Perfect Spirit as the result of What The Hill’s disqualification for interference. “I think he’s as good as he can be. We’ll see how far he can go.”

Eliminations for the Aug. 8 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old filly trotters were unnecessary, but eight Oaks finalists will be in action in an open for 3-year-old filly trotters. Also in action will be Meadowlands Pace champ Tall Dark Stranger in the Tompkins-Geers Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers.

For complete entries, click here.

July 29, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Photos by Lisa Photo

Hightstown, NJ — Sister Sledge might not have attracted overwhelming attention heading into this year’s Hambletonian, but as one of two fillies in Saturday’s (Aug. 1) eliminations at The Meadowlands, she should find plenty of eyes on her now.

The Ron Burke-trained Sister Sledge has won three of four races this season and 11 of 16 lifetime. She has hit the board in every start, finishing worse than second only once, on her way to $622,058 in purses.

Sister Sledge finished second to Ramona Hill in Dan Patch Award voting for best 2-year-old female trotter of 2019. Ramona Hill also was entered in the Hambletonian, which is the sport’s premier race for 3-year-old trotters.

This is the first time multiple fillies will take on the boys in the Hambletonian since Act Of Grace and Continentalvictory in 1996, and only the second time since 1983. Continentalvictory won the 1996 Hambletonian and was the last filly winner until Atlanta in 2018.

Sister Sledge is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line in the second of Saturday’s two $50,000 Hambletonian eliminations. She will start from post two in a nine-horse field. Ready For Moni, trained by Nancy Takter, is the 5-2 favorite after winning his only start of the season, a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 18, in 1:51.4.

The top-five finishers from each elimination advance to the $1 million Hambletonian final Aug. 8 at The Meadowlands.

“We’re in a very good spot,” Burke said. “(Post two) gives her options. It’s going to be tough, but I at least like where we’re starting.”

Burke decided Tuesday morning to put Sister Sledge up against the boys in the Hambletonian, rather than entering the fillies-only Hambletonian Oaks, but it was something he had been considering all year.

“I don’t think the Hambo is any tougher than the Oaks,” Burke said. “I think if you graded the races out, they would be equal. If anything, I thought the fillies were a tad tougher. So even if you say they’re even, one race goes for $1 million and the other goes for ($600,000). It doesn’t take a lot of brain work to realize that if I can race for a million in basically the same class, I’m going to go for the million.

“I think there are a lot of very nice horses (in the Hambletonian) but I don’t think anyone is tons better than the others. So, I’ll take my shot. It wasn’t like you were going to go to the Oaks and just go a training mile around there. They’re going to go too. Hopefully, we get past the elimination. I like the decision I made. Even if it doesn’t work out, in my mind, I put time into it and thought it out and I had reasons for what I did.”

Another factor was the return to Hambletonian eliminations being contested the week prior to the final, rather than the single-day format for elims and final in recent years.

“If there had been two heats, it would have been a different decision,” Burke said.

In the build up to this year’s Hambletonian, several fillies were mentioned as possible contenders to challenge the boys, with Ramona Hill, Sorella, Hypnotic AM, and Panem among that group. Sister Sledge was not.

“I don’t know where she fell out of favor,” Burke said. “To me, she was the best filly last year; you could rate her or Ramona Hill. This year, everyone is talking about different horses. We beat all them last year and all we’ve done basically this year is win. If you look at her lines, she’s consistently good. Even when she’s been beat, there have been excuses. I think she’s classy. I think she deserves the shot.”

Sister Sledge, a daughter of Father Patrick out of Behindclosedoors, won her first two races this season at The Meadows, both Grand Circuit stakes, by a total of 10 lengths. She finished second by a quarter-length in a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Harrah’s Philadelphia before winning a division of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:51.2 at The Meadowlands last weekend.

“We’ve gone where her races are,” said Burke, who trains the filly for Burke Racing, Jason Melillo, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi. “She’s a Pennsylvania-bred, I’m not going to race her at The Meadowlands every start. I’ve got to make money with her. The money was in Pa., knowing I would come (to The Meadowlands) the week before the Hambo.

“She’s been great. Maybe she didn’t get around Philly great, but she was great at The Meadows and, to me, she has every right to improve off that (last start). She’s only been (at The Meadowlands) one week and she needed to stretch. I think you’ll see her be better.”

Among the 17 Hambletonian entrants, Sister Sledge’s 1:51.2 mile is tied for second fastest this year. Ramona Hill holds the fastest win time in the group, 1:50.3.

Ramona Hill is 5-1 in the first Hambletonian elimination, starting from post seven in the eight-horse field with Andy McCarthy driving for trainer Tony Alagna. Back Of The Neck, trained by Ake Svanstedt, is the 2-1 favorite. Amigo Volo, last season’s male 2-year-old Breeders Crown champion, is 7-2 and Beads is 9-2.

Last year, Ramona Hill won six of seven races, capped by her victory from post 10 in the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old filly trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She has raced twice this year, finishing third in her debut before winning the Del Miller Memorial with her 1:50.3 score from post 10 on July 18 at The Meadowlands.

“I have a lot of confidence in Ramona Hill; she’ll get me where I need to go,” McCarthy said. “When you have a horse that you know whatever happens, I know I’m going to leave fast enough to either make the front or get close and we can figure it out after that, it does make you feel better no matter what the draw is.

“Pulling up after that mile (in the Del Miller), and it doesn’t happen very often, but I actually got goosebumps. Hats off to the horse. I’ve just got so much respect for her. She’s just a game, tough horse, and will do whatever you ask her to do. And she enjoys it.”

Ramona Hill, a daughter of Muscle Hill out of Lock Down Lindy, is owned by Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc, and In The Gym Partners.

Racing begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT) Saturday at The Meadowlands. The Hambletonian eliminations are races six and eight on the 13-race card. Eliminations for the Aug. 8 Hambletonian Oaks were unnecessary, but eight Oaks finalists will be in action in an open for 3-year-old filly trotters. Also in action will be Meadowlands Pace champ Tall Dark Stranger in the Tompkins-Geers Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers.

For complete entries, click here.

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With each having recorded a sharp score in their respective divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial, Back Of The Neck and Ready For Moni have been installed as the morning-line favorites in their respective Hambletonian eliminations, which take place Saturday (August 1) night at The Meadowlands. The Hambo Final is August 8.

In the first of two $50,000 elims, Back Of The Neck is listed at 2-1 from post one for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Ake Svanstedt. After missing a nose in his seasonal debut on June 27 to Sorella – one of The Hambletonian Oaks favorites – the son of Ready Cash-Big Barb has reeled off two straight wins from off the pace in impressive fashion, scoring in the July 11 Reynolds in a lifetime-best 1:52 before his Dancer win on July 18, also in 1:52.

“No, he is not one dimensional,” said Zeron after being asked if his horses’ best game is coming from behind. “His best effort was on the front end in his first start. To have come home in :26.1 and get picked off at the last second, that was a great effort.

“I avoided the front end going forward because I wanted to teach him to do other things. [Having drawn post 1] Gives me options. I definitely don’t have one trip in mind. I avoided the front in his last two on purpose, but we will play it by ear. I’m happy with the post position.”

Ready For Moni will start at 5-2 on the big board from post 8 in the second elim as Nancy Takter and Yannick Gingras look to become the first trainer-driver team to sweep The Meadowlands Pace and The Hambletonian in the same year.

The son of Ready Cash-Nothing But Moni went a perfect cover trip in his only outing of 2020 when he won his Dancer split in a lifetime-best 1:51.4 after kicking home in :27.1.

So, what about the outside post position? “I’m a little indifferent about it,” said Takter. “On paper, it looks like we are in the easier of the two eliminations. I think we are in good shape. I think the eight is a good spot.”

Takter is not concerned about Ready For Moni having only had one outing this season.

“It’s just the way his schedule played out,” said Takter. “I would have preferred one or two more starts but all of our horses have a good foundation. I think it’s a myth that these horses need a lot of races. They go so fast. I think [having too few starts] is better than having too many.”

For the complete post-position draw of both Hambletonian eliminations, go to http://ustrottingnews.com/hambletonian-eliminations-set/

FABULOUS FILLIES: Attempting to become the next filly to win the Hambletonian (Atlanta was the last in 2018) are Ramona Hill (5-1 in the first elim) and Sister Sledge (3-1 in elim two).

OAKS A SINGULAR EVENT: The $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks saw 12 horses enter, meaning that event for 3-year-old fillies on the trot will not need eliminations and will be one dash for the cash on Saturday, August 8.

To view the complete list of horses entered, go to http://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ENTERED-2020-Hambo.pdf

POST DRAWS LIVE: The post-position draws for both The Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks will take place during Saturday night’s program at The Meadowlands and will be broadcast on the track’s in-house simulcast feed live.

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PHOTO 1: Back Of The Neck and driver Scott Zeron take the first of two Stanley Dancer Memorial divisions at The Meadowlands on July 18. (Credit: Lisa Photo)

PHOTO 2: Ready For Moni and driver Yannick Gingras hit the wire first in the second of two Stanley Dancer Memorial divisions at The Meadowlands on July 18. (Credit: Lisa Photo)

East Rutherford, NJ - The 95th Hambletonian on Saturday, August 8th has a dining option available to guests near the winner’s circle on the finish line. 

Reservations must be pre-paid and are $100 per table. Each table seats up to four people. By making a reservation for the Cafe, guests are guaranteed track admittance and seating.  The $100 is also a food credit that can be used at the outdoor Café on Hambletonian Day. The credit is valid on Saturday, August 8th only.

The Café will have waitress service. Guests can dine on racetrack staples including chicken wings and French fries, cheese steaks, burgers, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and more. The full Café menu can be viewed here

Table purchases for Café dining on the finish line can be made here.

Cafe diners will be able to enter via the Simulcast Entrance on Saturday, August 8th at 10 am. Post time for the first race on Hambo Day is 12 noon.

All must wear face coverings while not at their table, have their temperature checked and complete a brief health questionnaire.  No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. All are also encouraged to download and fill out the required the health questionnaire (available here) to speed up the check-in process.   There is no valet parking available.

All updated racing and dining information can be found at PlayMeadowlands.com.

East Rutherford, NJ - The 95th Hambletonian on Saturday, August 8th has a great Backyard dining option available to guests. 

Reservations must be pre-paid and are $25 per person. By making a reservation for the Backyard, guests are guaranteed track admittance and seating.  The $25 is also a food credit that can be used at the Backyard BBQ & Grill and Backyard Bar.

The Backyard BBQ & Grill will have waitress service. Guests can dine on delicious summer-time grilled fare including burgers, sausage and hot along with brisket, ribs and mac & cheese. 

$15 Brunch specials will also be served and include:

·         Brisket & Eggs with choice of home fries, French fries or hash browns

·         Huevos Rancheros with corn tortillas, sunny side up eggs, salsa ranchera, refried beans & queso fresco

·         Waffles & Pulled Pork with spicy maple syrup

·         House Smoked Bacon & Eggs with any-style eggs and choice of home fries, French fries or hash browns

Reservations for Backyard dining can be made by emailing Jennifer Jordan at jjordan@arkrestaurants.com. Please include your phone number in the email.

Backyard diners will be able to enter via the Backyard Entrance on Saturday, August 8th at 10 am. All must wear face coverings while not at their table, have their temperature checked and complete a brief health questionnaire.  No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. All are also encouraged to download and fill out the required the health questionnaire (available here) to speed up the check-in process.   There is no valet parking available.

PHOTOS: Jula Trix Treasure winning his division of the Reynolds Memorial with driver Yannick Gingras (Lisa Photo)

Karl-Johan Blank and Tommy B. Andersson with Jula Trix Treasure in Florida. (Karl-Johan Blank photo)

Friday, July 24, 2020 - by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Trenton, NJ --- Karl-Johan Blank has built a business empire in Europe and is now looking to create a harness racing legacy in the United States.

The 57-year-old is owner and CEO of Jula Holding AB, which features a highly successful chain of 103 department stores throughout Sweden, Norway and Poland. He has also started or purchased numerous other companies over the years, including real estate and financial institutions, hotels, and Hööks, which has 53 stores selling equestrian accessories in northern Europe.

At age 10, Karl-Johan’s parents began with trotting horses on their small farm named Jultorp, which became the inspiration for the company’s business moniker. In 2008, Blank met Tommy B. Andersson, a respected trainer/horseman who hailed from the same area of Sweden. The two went in on the first horse Blank ever purchased and an ownership career blossomed.

“After that I bought some horses almost every year; more like a hobby,” Blank said.

Since Andersson had years of experience in America, it was only natural the duo gravitated to the States. Then it became more than a hobby.

“I decided in 2018 to go to the Lexington Sale and the Red Mile,” Blank said. “That had been my dream and goal for a long time, but I was always busy with my purchasing work at the hardware fairs at that time of year.

“Together with Tommy I bought four horses and one more in Harrisburg. This time they were horses that I really liked, with very good pedigree and at a little bit higher level.”

Included in that group was the Susanne Kerwood-trained Jula Shes Magic, who won the Ontario Sire Stakes Super Final for 2-year-old filly trotters. In fact, “all five were racing as 2-year-olds and did OK.”

Another of those was colt trotter Jula Trix Treasure – most of Blank’s horses are named after his business – who has his final Hambletonian prep in Saturday’s $89,100 Tompkins-Geers Stakes at The Meadowlands. Jula Trix Treasure, trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt, is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line behind 2-1 Real Cool Sam.

A half-brother to millionaire Uncle Peter, Jula Trix Treasure won a division of the Reynolds Memorial on July 11 and finished second in the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship one start earlier. The son of Trixton-Victory Treasure sold for $145,000 under the name Trixton’s Treasure at the 2018 Lexington Selected Sale.

“I really liked the pedigree on the horse especially with the mother producing a horse like the fantastic Uncle Peter,” Blank said. “I also really liked the way he moved with his star-like charisma. He was a very good-looking horse. I liked the size and Tommy B could not find anything wrong with him.”

Last year, while trained by Per Engblom, the colt had two wins and two thirds in five starts, earning $15,685.

“We realized last year that he was not an early horse because of his size so we gave him a lot time with Per,” Blank said.

After winter training in Florida with Andersson at Sunshine Meadows, Svanstedt began training Jula Trix Treasure in April.

“I have had horses with Ake over the years and thought that he would fit in very well with Ake’s good training and driving methods,” Blank said. “We thought that he should be better and better with every race but of course you never know. So far, it’s been very positive, and I am very happy with what he has done.”

In four starts this year, Jula Trix Treasure has two wins, a second and a third, and $69,575. The plan is to enter him in the Hambletonian, but Blank and Svanstedt will make the final decision after Saturday’s race. Eliminations for the Hambletonian, the sport’s premier race for 3-year-old trotters, will be Aug. 1 at The Meadowlands and the final is Aug. 8.

“I hope he will be one of the best (Saturday), and that it’s a fast race because he’s always strong in the finish,” Blank said.

If the horse does enter the Hambletonian, how might he stack up against the sport’s best 3-year-old trotters? The owner won’t predict a win but thinks Jula Trix Treasure can be among the leaders. 

“There are some very good horses, but he is getting better and better for every start,” Blank said. “He is strong and tough. I think he can be a (contender).”

Jula Trix Treasure is one of nine horses in the U.S. now owned by Blank, who is building himself up in harness racing the same way he did in the business world.

Following the oil crisis in 1979 his father, Lars-Göran Blank, founded Jula Industri AB in the family barn to produce a device that was a combined log saw and log splitter. The idea came from his grandfather, Otto, who made circular saws to produce firewood for gas cars during World War II. The business name evolved from farm’s Jultorp title. 

Lars-Göran’s wife, Irene, was also part of the operation and 16-year-old Karl-Johan would work there after school as the device began selling well.    

Before there was ever Amazon or eBay, the Blanks expanded their business by selling accessories to their invention to farmers in small, mail-order leaflets. Karl-Johan eventually began working for his dad fulltime.

“The business expanded fast with a bigger catalog, so in 1984 we started Jula Mail Order AB and had some very good years,” Blank said.

Father and son became co-owners in the early 1990s, building a chain of DIY stores and changing the name to Jula AB. Rapid expansion of the stores began in 1995 and, a year later, G&K Blanks real estate firm was established. Business sky-rocketed from there.

The Blanks won Sweden’s Businessman of the Year award in 2005 and purchased a company plane one year later. The Jula Hotel was inaugurated in 2007 and the company went international in 2008. Lars-Göran passed away in 2014 and Karl-Johan became owner under the title Jula Holding AB. While still maintaining its department store empire, the company has diversified into numerous fields in creating a billion-dollar business.

On the company website, Blank says “Different business areas have developed and created new business opportunities as the business has grown. Some of these have developed into independent companies that are now part of the Jula Holding Group. With this arrangement we see excellent opportunities for the businesses to support each other.”

As Blank’s professional operation expands, so too, does his Standardbred world. After his 2018 foray at Lexington, he followed up by purchasing five more horses in Lexington and Harrisburg last year. Four of them qualified, giving Blank nine horses that are actively racing. Seven of them have, or will, race this week at Yonkers, Mohawk and the Meadowlands.

Karl-Johan also owns eight horses in Sweden and breeds in his homeland “on a hobby level.”

“There have been some really good times,” he said. “I had a part in Good As Gold; he won the (1995) Swedish Derby and was the best colt in Sweden at 3 and 4 years old. I also owed his son, Filled Gold, that won the Danish Kriterium.”

He is hoping for some more good times in America, and is happy with his arrangement with Andersson, who trains the horses at Sunshine Meadows from sale until the end of April. Blank becomes an interested observer during that period. 

“I like to spend a couple of weeks in Florida then, to take time to watch the training and be with the horses,” Blank said. “After April we like to place the horses with the best trainers that we think will be good for the horses. After the season some of the horses go back to Tommy for winter training. I am very happy with the way it’s working out just now.”

Saturday’s card at The Meadowlands also includes two Tompkins-Geers divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters. Next Level Stuff is the 3-5 morning-line favorite in the first, Sister Sledge is the 7-5 favorite in the second. For complete entries, click here.

Ken Weingartner

Media Relations Manager

U.S. Trotting Association

www.ustrotting.com

East Rutherford, NJ - The 95th Hambletonian on Saturday, August 8th will look very different on-track in 2020 due to COVID-19.    Due to limited attendance capacities and COVID protocols, onsite attendance is limited to horsemen dining on the West Deck and guests dining in the Backyard.    There will be no reserved seats sold this year for the Hambletonian. 

The Clubhouse entrance will be open for those dining on the West Deck, in the Backyard or betting in the FanDuel Sportsbook.  

Guests must make dining reservations for track admittance and guaranteed seating.  All must wear face coverings while not at their table, have their temperature checked and complete a brief health questionnaire.  No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. All are also encouraged to download and fill out the required the health questionnaire (available here) to speed up the check-in process.   There is no valet parking available.

The Backyard BBQ & Grill is open for dining with waitress  & take-out service.  Grilled items including burgers, sausage and hot dogs will also be available along with brisket, ribs and mac & cheese.  Reservations for Backyard dining can be made by emailing Jennifer Jordan at jjordan@arkrestuarants.com

Horse owners racing on Hambletonian day can dine on the West Deck.  It has a $49.95 pre fixe menu featuring a variety of cold salads, grilled NY Strip and salmon, Louisiana-style mac & cheese and grilled to order chicken, burgers and hot dogs.  A selection of pre-packaged desserts will also be available.

Reservations are required for the West Deck and dining must be prepaid.  Reservations can be made by calling Marianne Rotella at 201-842-5059 or emailing mrotella@playmeadowlands.com.

To adhere to all COVID-19 protocols the Meadowlands has implemented the following measures:

• All guest seating has been 6 ft social distanced

• Hand sanitizer has been placed throughout the grandstand

• All high touch surfaces will be frequently wiped down throughout the day including all self-service machines, door handles and counter-tops

• No food or beverage is permitted inside the grandstand.  Guests are able to order from a waitress and eat and drink outside on the apron tables.

• Smoking is only permitted on the outdoor apron

Can't make it to the Hambletonian?  The entire stakes filled race card will be streamed live on the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Facebook page and brand new designs as well as vintage Hambo merchandise is available for sale on hambletonianshop.com.

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, will present a delayed 60-minute broadcast of the $1 million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks from The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J., on Sat., Aug. 8, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. [EDT] Both races have scheduled eliminations the week before on Sat., Aug. 1.  The Hambletonian is the first and most prestigious leg of the Trotting Triple Crown.  CBS Sports Network has been the broadcast home of the Hambletonian since 2012.

All updated racing and dining information can be found at PlayMeadowlands.com.

WILKES-BARRE PA – The owners and trainers of premium three-year-old trotters will get one final piece of information this weekend at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono before deciding whether to commit their horses towards Hambletonian weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, Pocono will host four $30,000 divisions of this group’s Pennsylvania All-Stars event for fillies, along with a like number of All-Stars events for two-year-old pacing fillies. And on the Sunday twilight card, there will be two $95,367 divisions of the first prelim of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for these sophomore colts, along with five $20,000 Stallion Series divisions.

A pair of fillies from the omnipresent barn of Ron Burke will be looking for big performances Saturday to raise them to the main platform. Sans Default, a Muscle Hill miss starting from post four in her All-Stars cut, has been second in a Currier & Ives division and then third in her Sire Stakes action, not looking out of place against quality competition in either, and will be going for driver Joe Bongiorno Saturday. The Father Patrick filly Crucial, who will begin from the rail for driver George Brennan in another division, won her Currier & Ives race and was second behind the streaking Next Level Stuff in Sires action last time, and looks to be in prime form now.

In Saturday’s All-Stars events for the baby pacing fillies, the best showdown could come in race nine, where double Sire Stakes winner Let ‘Er Buck (Betting Line – Wild West Show) will square off against Continualou, also a winner in the Sire Stakes, and Podium Girl, a double Stallion Series winner.

The two males who will attract the most attention in Sunday’s Sire Stakes races for the sophomore trotters both won over $500,000 at two. In race nine, the Muscle Hill colt EL Ideal bankrolled $551,309, including a victory in the season-ending Valley Victory stake at The Meadowlands. This year, EL Ideal had an encouraging third in the Reynolds stake, but then disappointed in his last start a division of the Stanley Dancer at The Meadowlands, by making a break as the favorite. Trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt will be looking to get the fast colt back on course.

The Father Patrick gelding Amigo Volo, who set four world records while winning $610,546 at two, will be the other principal focus of interest on Sunday, starting from post five in race ten for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman. Amigo Volo won an All-Stars race here on July 11 in 1:54, but last week he set the pace in his Dancer division, then tired to finish fourth, though beaten only three lengths.

East Rutherford, NJ – After an impressive performance in his Stanley Dancer division, Ready for Moni takes the top spot in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the 95th Hambletonian Week 8.  Back Of the Neck jumps into the second spot after his strong 1:52 performance in his Dancer division. 

1 - Ready For Moni

(Ready Cash) Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Conn, Herb Liverman, Bud Hatfield

Colts by two-time Prix D’Amerique winner Ready Cash ranked 1-2 this week, KYSS champion now with Team Takter rallied to win his 3YO debut in Dancer division in 1:51.4, “I couldn’t have scripted it any better,” Gingras said. “It’s his first start of the year and I wanted to somewhat take it easy on him. It couldn’t have worked out any better. He’s great. I think he’s ready for it. He’s going to get next week off, I’m pretty sure, and he’s ready for the (Hambletonian).”

2 - Back Of The Neck

(Ready Cash) Scott Zeron, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor

Won a Reynolds division @ Big M on July 11 in 1:52 with a thunderous :26.4 rally, romped in a Dancer division in 1:52, “He was really handy today, really relaxed, which is good,” Zeron said. “He’s progressively getting smarter and smarter on the track. Every start is just leading up to the Hambletonian in my eyes, so today it was like leave, let him sit, see how he feels in the hole. I was able to sit in longer than I thought I could because of the pace. Down the lane, he just finished strong. He was very well within himself.”

3 -

Ramona Hill

(Muscle Hill) Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna, Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert Leblanc, In The Gym Partners

Filly Dan Patch Award & Breeders Crown winner finished third [1:51] from post nine in her 3YO debut, unleashed a 1:50.3 career best from post ten in the Del Miller

4 - Sorella

(Muscle Hill) Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, Elmer Fannin, Crawford Farms Racing

Filly started 2020 three-for-three with Team Takter, fresh off a 1:50.2 win in the Reynolds @ Big M on July 11, challenged first over & faded to fourth [1:51.1] in the Del Miller

5 - Hypnotic AM

(Chapter Seven) Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.

Filly was an ultra impressive 1:51.1 [:27.3] winner in her 3YO debut, cruised in a NYSS @ Tioga Downs in 1:54.2, romped in the EBC @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:53.4, third [1:51.1] with a very tough trip from post eight in the Del Miller

6 - Third Shift

(Chapter Seven) Ake Svanstedt, Mellby Gard, Inc., Ake Svanstedt

Won a NYSS division @ Vernon Downs on June 24 in 1:54.2, took an EBC division @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:52.4, aggressive runner up [1:52.2] from post seven in a Dancer division

7 - Panem

(Father Patrick) Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter, Diamond Creek Racing

Filly won her 3YO debut in 1:53.4 @ Big M on June 26, second [1:51] with a :26.3 from post eight in Reynolds on July 11, second [1:50.4] with a :27.4 in Del Miller

8 - Beads

(Archangel) Jimmy Takter, Per Engblom, Renee Spahr

Son of world champion Archangel broke in his first two starts this season, then Jimmy Takter took the lines for a 1:52.2 qualifier win, parked first over & just missed in his 3YO debut in 1:51.2, has the rail in a Dancer division on July 18

9 -

Big Oil

(Father Patrick) Andy & Julie Miller, Jason, Doug & Ron Allen

Wire-to-wire in 1:55 in his 3YO debut @ Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 28, won a PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs in 1:53.2 on July 11, third [1:52.3] in a Dancer division

10 - Amigo Volo

(Father Patrick) Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David J. Miller

Breeders Crown champion romped in a PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs in 1:54 on July 11, took the lead past a :54.4 half & faded to fourth [1:52.3] in a Dancer division, post five in a PASS division @ Pocono Downs on July 26

KEY PREP RACES Hambletonian Eligibles in Caps Date Stakes Site Winner Driver Trainer 2nd Horse 3rd Horse Time

June 19 NJSS M JULA TRIX TREASURE Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Play Trix On Me Barley 1:54

June 21 NYSS TD HYPNOTIC AM Brian Sears Marcus Melander REBA BLUE CHIP Munster 1:54.2

June 24 NYSS V THIRD SHIFT Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Take The Credit Ballcapsnbluejeans 1:54.2

June 24 NYSS V BERKERY J Scott Zeron George Ducharme Chaptiana Barn Holden 1:54.2

June 26 NJSS M Play Trix On Me Scott Zeron Linda Toscano Barley JULA TRIX TREASURE 1:53.2

June 27 $25,000 M SORELLA Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter BACK OF THE NECK SYNERGY 1:51.2

July 3 NJSS Final M Play Trix On Me Scott Zeron Linda Toscano JULA TRIX TREASURE AP Hall Of Trix 1:53.3

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V HYPNOTIC AM Brian Sears Marcus Melander LOVE A GOOD STORY NO MAS DRAMA 1:53.4

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V THIRD SHIFT Ake Svanstedt Ake Svanstedt Ballcapsnbluejeans Sir Cromwell 1:52.4

July 4 E. Breeders Classic V HOBBS Jason Bartlett Jim Campbell Take The Credit Barn Holden 1:53.3

July 11 Reynolds M JULA TRIX TREASURE Yannick Gingras Ake Svanstedt BEADS EL Ideal 1:51.2

July 11 Reynolds M SORELLA Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter PANEM RAMONA HILL 1:50.2

July 11 Reynolds M BACK OF THE NECK Scott Zeron Ake Svanstedt Play Trix On Me MAESTERAEMON 1:52

July 11 PA Allstars PD AMIGO VOLO George Napolitano, Jr. Nifty Norman SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE Hell Patrol 1:54

July 11 PA Allstars PD BIG OIL Andrew McCarthy Julie Miller CHESTNUT HILL STEEL SCHOONER 1:53.2

July 18 Stanley Dancer M BACK OF THE NECK Scott Zeron Ake Svanstedt THIRD SHIFT BIG OIL 1:52

July 18 Stanley Dancer M READY FOR MONI Yannick Gingras Nancy Takter HOLLYWOOD STORY BEADS 1:51.4

July 18 Del Miller M RAMONA HILL Andrew McCarthy Tony Alagna PANEM HYPNOTIC AM 1:50.3

July 25 Tompkins Geers M ROME PAYS OFF Mattias Melander Marcus Melander Play Trix On Me JULA TRIX TREASURE 1:52.3

July 25 Tompkins Geers M SISTER SLEDGE Yannick Gingras Ron Burke MS SAVANNAH BELLE Dubai Princess 1:51.2

Aug. 1 Hambo Elim M

Aug. 1 Hambo Elim M

by Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands

Lisa Photo

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Andy McCarthy motored Ramona Hill to the front from post 10 and battled all challengers for control, trotting to a 1:50.3 victory in the $253,500 Del Miller Memorial for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday (July 18) at the Meadowlands.

Clearing command into the first turn, Ramona Hill led the field past a :26.3 first quarter before Love A Good Story angled off the pylons to brush for the lead. Sorella, the 2-5 favorite, then moved uncovered as Love A Good Story cleared control in the backside. However Ramona Hill, sitting in the pocket, swiftly circled in front of Sorella and Love A Good Story to retake control just beyond a :54.2 half.

Rounding the far turn, Sorella marched forward to match strides with Ramona Hill, while Hypnotic AM rode second-over cover. Past three-quarters in 1:22.2, Sorella began to hang, forcing Hypnotic AM wide and the third-over Panem even wider as Ramona Hill widened her lead. Panem rolled most quickly of any down the center of the track, cutting into Ramona Hill’s margin nearing the finish but still finishing 1-1/2 lengths behind. Hypnotic AM took third from Sorella.

“We had Pilot Discretion last year and we raced in the [Hambletonian]. And then, at the end of the year, Ramona [Hill] came on and she was just fantastic,” co-owner Robert LeBlanc said after the race. “[Alagna] brought her along slowly — she was a late foal — and we wanted to give her time. We thought we had something special, and Tony said we were going to manage her for the end of the year. And Andy just drives her fantastic ... This is pretty special; she’s a special animal.”

A Crawford Farms-bred daughter of Muscle Hill, Ramona Hill collected her seventh victory from nine starts, amassing $539,470 in earnings for owners Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners. She returned $18.80 to win.

by Ken Weingartner, for The Meadowlands

Lisa Photo

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Judy Taylor has sometimes given her son, Howard, a tough time about the horses they have owned together. That appears to be about to change.

The Taylors and breeder Stefan Balazsi’s Order By Stable own Hambletonian hopeful Back Of The Neck, who won Saturday’s (July 18) $142,250 first division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial for 3-year-old male trotters in 1:52 at The Meadowlands.

Howard Taylor, a Philadelphia attorney, is among the owners of 2018 Hambletonian winner Atlanta, as well as a number of other prominent horses.

“(My mom says,) 'You have all these good horses. I’ve never had one,'” Howard Taylor said. “I said, 'Every time I buy a horse for you, I own part of it too, I’m not trying to give you a bad horse. But it just never worked out that way. Now it has.'”

Driven by Scott Zeron, Back Of The Neck used a second-over trip to rally in the stretch for his second win in three races this year. Back Of The Neck, trained by Åke Svanstedt, saw stablemate Third Shift hold the lead after the first quarter before Amigo Volo took control at the half.

After Zeron moved with Back Of The Neck from fourth, Svanstedt came first-over with Third Shift heading around the final turn. Back Of The Neck, the 4-5 favorite, won by 2-1/4 lengths over Third Shift, with Big Oil finishing third.

“He was really handy today, really relaxed, which is good,” Zeron said. “He’s progressively getting smarter and smarter on the track. Every start is just leading up to the Hambletonian in my eyes, so today it was like leave, let him sit, see how he feels in the hole. I was able to sit in longer than I thought I could because of the pace.

“When I moved him over, and Åke pulled the two-hole, it was even better. Down the lane, he just finished strong. He was very well within himself.”

A son of French trotting star Ready Cash out of Big Barb, Back Of The Neck has won five of 12 starts lifetime, good for $207,375.

Another son of Ready Cash won the second division of the Dancer. Ready For Moni was fifth at the half-mile point before following Chesnut Hill’s cover around the final turn and using a three-wide move in the stretch to win in 1:51.4 as the 5-2 second choice in his seasonal debut.

Hollywood Story was second and Beads finished third. The winning margin was one length.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better,” winning driver Yannick Gingras said. “It’s his first start of the year and I wanted to somewhat take it easy on him. It couldn’t have worked out any better. He’s great. I think he’s ready for it. He’s going to get next week off, I’m pretty sure, and he’s ready for the [Hambletonian].”

Ready For Moni, trained by Nancy Takter, is owned by John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman, and Bud Hatfield. He is out of Nothing But Moni, whose dam was the two-time Horse of the Year Moni Maker. He has won five of nine career races and $352,575. His top triumph last year came in the Kentucky Sire Stakes final, and he was second in the Valley Victory.

The Hambletonian Stakes, the sport’s top event for 3-year-old trotters, is Aug. 8 at The Meadowlands. Eliminations will be held Aug. 1.

Derick Giwner contributed to this report.

East Rutherford, NJ – Nancy Takter’s sensational filly Sorella makes her debut on the Road to the Hambletonian coming in at number two.  Hypnotic AM remains in the top ten but drops two spaces to number five.   Every horse in Ken Warkentin’s top ten are in to go at the Meadowlands this Saturday’s Stanley Dancer Memorial and/or Del Miller Memorial.

1 - Amigo Volo

(Father Patrick) Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David J. Miller

Breeders Crown champion sixth [1:52.3] as the beaten favorite in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M in his 3YO debut, then romped in a PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs in 1:54 on July 11, post four in a Dancer division on July 18

2 - Sorella

(Muscle Hill) Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, Elmer Fannin, Crawford Farms Racing

Filly has blossomed for Team Takter going three-for-three 2020, fresh off a 1:50.2 win in the Reynolds @ Big M on July 11, Nancy Takter: “We are considering the Hambo. She will race in the Del Miller & we will decide then. I don’t think there is a colt close to her.”

3 - Back Of The Neck

(Ready Cash) Scott Zeron, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor

Set the pace & second by a nose in 1:51.2 [:26] in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27, won a Reynolds division @ Big M on July 11 in 1:52 with a thunderous :26.4 rally, post six in a Dancer division on July 18

4 -

Real Cool Sam

(Muscle Hill) Dave Miller, Jim Campbell, Fashion Farms LLC

Dan Patch Award winner broke in his first Big M qualifier, rebounded with a second in 1:53.1 [:26.3], second again in 1:52.4 [:28] on July 3, Jim Campbell was very happy with his last two qualifiers, has the rail for his 3YO debut in a Dancer division on July 18

5 - Hypnotic AM

(Chapter Seven) Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.

Filly was an ultra impressive 1:51.1 [:27.3] in her 3YO debut, cruised in a NYSS @ Tioga Downs in 1:54.2, romped from post nine in EBC @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:53.4, still a Hambo prospect, post eight in Del Miller division on July 18

6 - Third Shift

(Chapter Seven) Ake Svanstedt, Mellby Gard, Inc., Ake Svanstedt

NYSS champion won a NYSS division @ Vernon Downs on June 24 in 1:54.2, won an EBC division @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:52.4, post seven in a Dancer division on July 18

7 -

Big Oil

(Father Patrick) Andy & Julie Miller, Jason, Doug & Ron Allen

Wire-to-wire in 1:55 in his 3YO debut @ Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 28, won a PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs in 1:53.2 on July 11, post three in a Dancer division on July 18

8 - Beads

(Archangel) Jimmy Takter, Per Engblom, Renee Spahr

Son of world champion Archangel broke in his first two starts this season, then Jimmy Takter took the lines for a 1:52.2 qualifier win, parked first over & just missed in his 3YO debut in 1:51.2, has the rail in a Dancer division on July 18

9 - Ready For Moni

(Ready Cash) Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Conn, Herb Liverman, Bud Hatfield

Son of two-time Prix D’Amerique winner Ready Cash, grandson of the great Moni Maker, KYSS champion now with Team Takter & back in Top Ten, makes 3YO debut in Dancer division on July 18

10 - Synergy

(Father Patrick) Yannick Gingras, Per Engblom, Brittany Farms, John Fielding, Herb Liverman & David Anderson

Third [1:52.1] in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27 in his 3YO debut, set the pace & faded to fifth [1:52.2] in Reynolds Memorial division @ Big M on July 11, post 8 in a Dancer division on July 18

July 15, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Real Cool Sam, the 2019 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old male trotter, makes his seasonal debut Saturday (July 18) in the first of two $142,250 divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial at The Meadowlands.

The Dancer, the penultimate stakes prep at The Big M for 3-year-old male trotters ahead of August’s Hambletonian, is part of a stakes-packed card headlined by the $636,650 Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-old male pacers. Pace elimination winner Tall Dark Stranger, also a Dan Patch Award recipient in 2019, is the 7-5 morning-line favorite.

First race post time Saturday is 45 minutes earlier than usual, at 6:30 p.m. (EDT).

Real Cool Sam, who was named in honor of late Meadowlands announcer Sam McKee, won nine of 10 races last year for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms. The homebred son of Muscle Hill-Cooler Schooner counted the Peter Haughton Memorial and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship among his victories and set multiple world records along the way.

The colt is among 17 Hambletonian eligibles in the two 10-horse Dancer divisions. He will start from post one with driver David Miller and is 4-1 on the morning line. Amigo Volo is the 3-1 favorite followed by Big Oil at 7-2.

Real Cool Sam enters the race off second-place finishes in his two most recent qualifiers, June 27 and July 3, at The Meadowlands. He was timed in 1:52.4 last time.

“I was real happy with his last two qualifiers,” Campbell said. “A few of these other horses have gotten a couple starts ahead of him, but we’re just looking to get him prepped and ready for the Hambo. So far so good.”

Real Cool Sam, who is No. 2 behind Amigo Volo in Meadowlands announcer/analyst Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian rankings, will attempt to become the first returning Dan Patch Award winner since Pinkman in 2015 to win the Hambletonian.

“There wasn’t too much that didn’t make us happy last year,” Campbell said during the winter about Real Cool Sam. “He’s good mannered in a race, good gaited, he’s got speed. He’s obviously going to have to carry his speed a lot further at 3 than at 2. That’s the main thing, just carrying your speed further.”

Campbell will decide Real Cool Sam’s next start following the Dancer. He could race once more or go directly to the Hambletonian eliminations Aug. 1 at The Meadowlands.

“I’ll play it by ear,” Campbell said. “Our goal all along was to keep him at The Meadowlands until after the Hambletonian.”

Campbell also will send out Beyond Kronos in the second Dancer division. Beyond Kronos, by Muscle Hill out of Oyster Kronos, was a three-time winner in the Pennsylvania Stallion Series last year and runner-up to EL Ideal in the Kindergarten Classic final. He is winless in three races this season, but trotted 1:51.4 in a fourth-place finish in a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial last weekend at The Meadowlands.

“I’ve been real happy with the way he’s gone,” Campbell said. “He’s gotten into tough races every start but he trotted (1):51.4 last week and I was real happy with the way he did it.”

Beads is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the second Dancer division.

In addition to the Dancer and Meadowlands Pace, Saturday’s racing includes an 11-horse $253,500 single division of the Del Miller Memorial for 3-year-old female trotters, the 13-horse $464,900 Hambletonian Maturity at 1-1/8 miles for 4-year-old trotters, the 11-horse $391,300 William R. Haughton Memorial for older male pacers (as well as a $123,100 consolation), $172,850 Dorothy Haughton Memorial for older female pacers, the 11-horse $194,400 Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old female pacers, and the third leg of the Miss Versatility Series for older female trotters.

For complete entries, click here.

July 10, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Per Engblom had high hopes for Synergy last year at age 2, and while the colt won the Champlain Stakes and eliminations of the Peter Haughton Memorial and Breeders Crown, the campaign failed to live up to his trainer’s early expectations.

“We really thought we had a great horse,” Engblom said of last year, noting a bout of sickness hampered Synergy during the summer and impeded his development.

Synergy winning his Breeders Crown Elim

Synergy winning his Breeders Crown Elim

But as the 2020 season kicks into gear, Engblom remains hopeful Synergy can emerge as a primetime player among 3-year-old male trotters. Synergy makes his second start Saturday (July 11) in the second of two divisions of the Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at The Meadowlands, where he leaves from post seven with Yannick Gingras and is the 3-1 morning-line favorite.

The two Reynolds splits for the boys feature a total of 14 Hambletonian-eligible horses; Synergy is No. 6 in track announcer/analyst Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian rankings. The Hambletonian, the sport’s premier race for 3-year-old trotters, is Aug. 8 at The Meadowlands.

Synergy enters the Reynolds off a third-place finish in a 3-year-old open June 27 at the Big M, where he was timed in 1:52.1. It was the colt’s debut, following a 1:54 qualifying effort that featured a :26.2 last quarter-mile.

“I was really happy with those two efforts,” Engblom said. “He needs to get racing, to get going; he’s a big, heavy colt. But he’s shown that he’s a little stronger this year than last year, so I’m happy with that and I’m looking forward to these races coming up.”

Lisa Photo

Lisa Photo

A son of Father Patrick out of Southwind Sauna, Synergy is owned by Brittany Farms, John Fielding, Herb Liverman, and David Anderson. He was purchased as a yearling under the name Southwind Saranac for $275,000 at the 2018 Lexington Selected Sale and his family includes O’Brien Award winner Federal Flex.

Synergy has won four of 11 career races and $164,888.

“He had a little bit of trouble carrying his speed last year,” Engblom said. “The last sixteenth of a mile he kind of flattened out, but this year so far, going (1):52, he seemed pretty good. Let’s hope he can go (1):51 and (1):50 and a piece, too.”

Engblom also has a starter in the first Reynolds division. Beads, a newcomer to his stable this year, is the 4-1 third choice behind EL Ideal (2-1) and Capricornus (3-1).

Beads went off stride in both of his starts this season, but heads to the Reynolds off a 1:52.2 win in a qualifier July 3. Jimmy Takter, who drove Beads in the qualifier, returns for Saturday’s race.

Last year, Beads won two of eight starts and $22,330. All but one of the horse’s races were in Canada. The son of Archangel-Nepentha is owned by Renee Spahr.

“He’s a little bit of a funny horse, but he’s got plenty of ability,” Engblom said. “It’s more mental issues with him, he gets a little nervous and stuff like that. He’s not really stupid or hot or anything, it’s just that he gets a little tense.

“Going to the lead, so far, has been the model for him. If we can get him to mature, maybe he can race from behind a little bit. But he’s showed plenty of ability so far.”

In addition to the two Reynolds divisions for the boys, there is a single Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old female trotters. Shishito is 6-1 on the morning line in a field that includes returning Dan Patch Award winner Ramona Hill (3-1 favorite) in her seasonal debut and 2-for-2 Sorella (7-2).

Eight of the 10 fillies in the Reynolds are eligible to the Hambletonian Oaks, including Shishito, Ramona Hill, and Sorella.

Shishito won her only start of the season, beating male rivals including Hambletonian hopeful Capricornus, in 1:53.3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Last year, she won four of 11 races and $240,512 for owners Black Horse Racing and John Fielding.

“She was a money-maker last year,” Engblom said. “She was a very tough girl. She was there the first baby race of the year and she raced in the Breeders Crown final. This year, I’ve been super happy with her so far. She trotted (1):53 last year and she’s been in (1):51.2 (in a qualifier) already this year, so she’s developed the right way.”

Racing begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT) Saturday at The Meadowlands. The 13-race card also includes $250,000 Graduate Series finals for 4-year-old pacers and trotters and a single elimination of the Meadowlands Pace.

For Saturday’s complete Meadowlands entries, click here.

East Rutherford, NJ – Third Shift moves up to the fourth spot in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 6. 

1 - Amigo Volo

(Father Patrick) Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David J. Miller

Freshman Breeders Crown champ + one of eight in the Top Ten that DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, sixth [1:52.3] as the beaten favorite in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M in his 3YO debut, post two in PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs on July 11

2 -

Real Cool Sam

(Muscle Hill) Dave Miller, Jim Campbell, Fashion Farms LLC

Dan Patch Award & Peter Haughton Memorial winner broke in his first Big M qualifier, rebounded with a second in 1:53.1 [:26.3] in a Big M qualifier, second in 1:52.4 [:28] in a Big M qualifier on July 3, not entered to race/qualify this weekend

3 - Hypnotic AM

(Chapter Seven) Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.

Filly was an ultra impressive 1:51.1 [:27.3] in her 3YO debut, cruised in a NYSS @ Tioga Downs in 1:54.2, romped from post nine in EBC @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:53.4 … “We’ll see. We’ll see,” said Melander. “Right now the main goal is to be on top for Hambo Day, and right now there is no one among the colts that stands out.”

4 - Third Shift

(Chapter Seven) Ake Svanstedt, Mellby Gard, Inc., Ake Svanstedt

Set a stakes & Batavia Downs track record of 1:56 in the NYSS Final at two, won a NYSS division @ Vernon Downs on June 24 in 1:54.2, won an EBC division @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:52.4

5 - Back Of The Neck

(Ready Cash) Yannick Gingras, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor

Won a Big M qualifier on June 20 in 1:53.4, set the pace & second by a nose in 1:51.2 [:26]
in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post eight in Reynolds Memorial division @ Big M on July 11

6 - Synergy

(Father Patrick) Yannick Gingras, Per Engblom, Brittany Farms, John Fielding, Herb Liverman & David Anderson

Qualified three times, the latest a second by a head in 1:54 [:26.2] @ Big M on June 20, third [1:52.1] in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27 in his 3YO debut, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post seven in Reynolds Memorial division @ Big M on July 11

7 -

Big Oil

(Father Patrick) Andy & Julie Miller, Jason, Doug & Ron Allen

1:53.3 winner in a Big M qualifier on June 12, wire-to-wire in 1:55 in his 3YO debut @ Harrah’s
Philadelphia on June 28, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post five in PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs on July 11

8 - Capricornus

(Muscle Hill) Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, JJ Racing Stable, Inc

Second [1:52.4] in his 2020 debut on June 5, finished second [1:53.4] in an overnight @ Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 25, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post six in Reynolds Memorial division @ Big M on July 11

9 - Chestnut Hill

(Muscle Hill) Dave Miller, Nifty Norman, Melvin Hartman, David McDuffee, Little E LLC

Won his 2020 debut @ The Big M on June 19 in 1:53.1 [:26.1], DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post six in PA Allstars division @ Pocono Downs on July 11

10 - Measteraemon

(Andover Hall) Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, S R F Stable

Gives Melander three in the Top Ten, took a mark of 1:52.4 @ The Red Mile, won two Big M qualifiers in 1:53.3 [:26.4] and in 1:54 [:26.3], fifth [1:52.2] in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post four in Reynolds Memorial division @ Big M on July 11

PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Pennsylvania All-Stars series brings together this weekend two interesting groups of colts at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono — 3-year-old trotters on Saturday afternoon (July 11) and 2-year-old pacers on Sunday’s (July 12) twilight card.

A total of 17 of the 27 trotters entered in Saturday’s thee $30,000 divisions of All-Stars races are eligible to contest the sport’s greatest prize, the Hambletonian, on Saturday (Aug. 8). The owners and trainers of the Hambo eligibles will be getting a good reading on their horses’ ability exactly three weeks before the elimination races for the Hambletonian.

Amigo Volo is the richest and probably the best-known of the entrants. The altered son of Father Patrick, trained by Nifty Norman for the Pinske Stables and David J. Miller, earned $610,546 at age two and set multiple world records for his age, sex, and gait. He undoubtedly needed his seasonal debut last week after not having raced since November, and he will have the services of Pocono’s leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., as he seeks to further establish his Hambo credentials while starting from post two in the eighth race All-Stars section.

At Lexington last year, Big Oil dead-heated with divisional champion Real Cool Sam in 1:52.1, making him a world champion in that the tie was the fastest one ever clocked on the trot. Another son of Father Patrick, Big Oil won his 2020 debut easily in 1:55 at Philadelphia, and he will start from post five in the tenth race section, with Andrew McCarthy picked for the drive for trainer Julie Miller and owners Jason, Douglas, and Ronald Allen.

There is no outstanding favorite in the sixth race division, though the Muscle Hill colt Hillexotic, starting from post five, may draw some attention. He won a Big M qualifier in 1:54.4, making him the only horse in this division with a sub-1:55 mark at either two or three, and he closed in :26.2 for fourth in his only purse race of the year, signaling room for improvement for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer and owner Purple Haze Stables.

Sunday’s All-Stars action for freshman sidewheeling colts has attracted enough interest to schedule five $30,000 divisions. Three of the entrants were winners in the first preliminary of their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at Philadelphia: Bayfield Beach (1:52.4) and Always A Miki (1:52.2), both in the tenth race division, and race three’s Lou’s Pearlman (1:53.3).