2022 Hambletonian
There’s an interesting connection behind the top two horses in this year’s Hambletonian
By Amanda Stellwag Globe correspondent
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Unlike the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Mikaela Wallin won’t have to choose between family and a lover who also happens to be a rival.
Wallin is the caretaker for Joviality S, the 7-2 second choice in the 97th edition of the $1 million Hambletonian, harness racing’s biggest event each year. Joviality S was trained by her brother, Marcus Melander, for Saturday’s race at The Meadowlands.
Rising Star Todd McCarthy set for Hambo debut with Cool Papa Bell
August 5, 2022, by Gordon Waterstone, USTA Editorial Specialist
Lexington, KY — Driver Todd McCarthy was a star Down Under, so it comes as no surprise that the 29-year-old Australian found immediate success after moving his base to the United States in August 2020.
Wallin fulfills childhood dream with Hambletonian appearance
August 4, 2022, by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent
Trenton, NJ — Fourteen years ago, Lucas Wallin watched in wonderment at The Meadowlands as Ray Schnittker’s Deweycheatumnhowe won the Hambletonian.
“That was the first Hambo I saw here,” the Swede said. “After that, I said that one day I would move here and try to be in it. So, it’s pretty cool.”
Cool because at age 29, “one day” has arrived for the trainer, whose colt Rebuff is the 9-5 morning line favorite in Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian
‘Iceman’ eyes cool Hambo win
August 4, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Hightstown, NJ — Orjan Kihlstrom has won most of the biggest harness races in the world, including four Elitloppet, a Prix d’Amerique, and a Breeders Crown. On Saturday at The Meadowlands, he will have the opportunity to add the Hambletonian to his list of accomplishments when he drives Temporal Hanover in the sport’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters.
Five trainers seek Hambo-Oaks double
Hightstown, NJ — Since the inception of the Hambletonian Oaks in 1971 as the filly companion event to the Hambletonian Stakes for 3-year-old trotters, two trainers — Jan Johnson and Jimmy Takter — have won both races on the same day.
Ken Warkentin's Final 2022 Road to the Hambletonian
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – Ken Warkentin ranks the ten Hambletonian contenders going into Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian. #hambo22
1 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion three-for-three in 2022, won his 3YO debut in a Reynolds division in 1:51.3, equaled a 1:49.4 track record in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, cruised in 1:52.2 elimination, Tim Tetrick won 2012 Hambo with Market Share, drew the rail
2 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Six-for-seven as a 3YO, 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon & 1:51 in EBC for fillies, beat the boys in 1:53.1 Yonkers Trot, career best 1:50.2 in Del Miller Memorial division, close third in second elimination, Brian Sears seeks Hambo grandslam, post two
3 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Second by a neck [1:52.1] in NJSS Final, won the Zweig Memorial in 1:52.2, second to Rebuff in track record Stanley Dancer Memorial division, game runner up in second elimination, Orjan Kihlstrom finished fifth with Evaluate in 2018 Hambo, post seven
4 | Jiggy Jog S
| Walner | Dexter Dunn | Ake Svanstedt | Jorgen Sparredal Inc |
Four wins & two seconds in six starts this season, won the Zweig for fillies in 1:53.3, equaled her lifetime mark of 1:52.2 with elimination upset, Ake Svanstedt looks for his third Hambo, post five, Dexter Dunn’s choice over Fast As The Wind
5 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Won the Goodtimes Final in a career best 1:52.2, second to Rebuff [1:51.4] in a Reynolds division, second to Rebuff in his elimination, Tony Alagna won the 2020 edition with Ramona Hill, post three, switches to Big M leading driver Yannick Gingras
6 | Cool Papa Bell
| Chapter Seven | Todd McCarthy | Jim Campbell | Runthetable Stables |
Followed up a 1:54.2 NYSS blowout @ Yonkers with a third in the first elimination, Jim Campbell won the 1995 Hambo with Tagliabue & finished fifth last year with Take All Comers, post six, 2021 Rising Star Todd McCarthy makes his Hambletonian debut
7 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Third in the NJSS Final, second to stablemate Temporal Hanover in Zweig Memorial, fourth in the first elimination, Marcus Melander also had three finalists in 2020 & 2019, post nine
8 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner finished second by a neck in a Zweig consolation, runner up to Slay in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, fourth in second Hambo elim, Ray Schnittker won the 2008 Hambo with Deweycheatumnhowe, post eight, Mark MacDonald makes his Hambletonian debut
9 | Keg Stand
| Bar Hopping | Dave Miller | Nancy Takter | Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter, John Fielding |
Three-for-three this season, won a pair of PASS events in 1:53.1 & 1:53, Nancy Takter was second in last two with Spy Booth & Ready For Moni, her father Jimmy Takter has won four Hambos, Dave Miller has finished third in three Hambo Finals, post four
10 | Looks Like Moni
| Muscle Hill | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter | Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld |
Lone 3YO win was 1:51.4 career best in NJSS on May 13, Nancy Takter was second in last two with Spy Booth & Ready For Moni, Dave Miller has finished third in three Hambo Finals, post ten, Andrew McCarthy won his first with the filly Ramona Hill in 2020
Camille Kostek Debuts Siegelman Stable’s Newest Timeless Collection
The 2022 Hambletonian Collection from Siegelman Stable
Straight off of Siegelman Stable’s biggest collaboration to date, with Palm Tree Crew and Kygo, they’re right back with the biggest harness race in the country this year.
Siegelman Stable and the Hambletonian Society have partnered to create a luxurious collaboration collection for the 97th Annual Hambletonian, after an immensely successful 2021 collection. The 2022 collection will drop exclusively on Siegelman Stable’s website (www.siegelmanstable.com) on Friday, August 5th at 1pm ET.
Siegelman has enlisted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model, Camille Kostek, as the face of the campaign. Siegelman and Kostek connected just weeks before the shoot.
Kostek became extremely interested in the brand from the aesthetic and vibe, but when she learned more about the equine therapy side of Siegelman Stable, she had to reach out to get involved.
Siegelman Stable, founded by New Yorker Max Siegelman, has been reaching new levels of young fashion stardom, giving the brand a reach that has become global.
Since names like supermodel Kendall Jenner, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, and rapper Future, have been seen in his looks, two and three-tone hats, the signature horse and carriage has taken off to the races. While continuing to stick to the brands roots and donating a portion of proceeds to equine therapy programs around the world.
“Camille has a background in equine therapy, giving back to a program in Los Angeles, California that support veterans. She expressed to me how she loved connecting to the horses while riding, bathing and brushing them. When I learned this, the synergy was spot on for us to work together and create something we really felt strongly about.
We’ve given Camille the opportunity to donate a portion of this drops proceeds to an equine therapy program of her choice.” says Max Siegelman.
This collection will include elements of the history and tradition of the Hambletonian (97th annual), America’s classic trotting race, merged with Siegelman Stable’s already iconic looks. The collection consists of five pieces; two fully embroidered hats, a matching crewneck sweatshirt and sweat-short set fully embroidered and a classic print tee.
The 97th edition of the $1 million Hambletonian race will commence Saturday, August 6th at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ. It is the richest race for 3- year-old trotters and the second leg of the trotting Triple Crown. Post time for the stakes and event-filled day at the nation’s premier harness track is 12pm ET.
To see a preview of the collection, make sure to follow @siegelmanstable on Instagram.
Rebuff favored in Hambletonian
August 2, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Rebuff
Won the 1st of last week’s two Hambletonian Stakes eliminations and is unbeaten in three starts this season, drew post one for Saturday’s $1 million final and was made the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the classic race for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands.
Jiggy Jog S
Won the 2nd elim and is one of two fillies in the race, drew post five and was made the 4-1 third choice.
Joviality S
Yonkers Trot champion & the remaining female starter, got post two and was made the 7-2 second choice.
Elimination winners drew for posts one through five. The remaining horses followed in an open draw.
This is the second time in three years that two fillies advanced to the Hambletonian final. Ramona Hill and Sister Sledge faced the boys in 2020, with Ramona Hill winning both her elimination and the final. Sister Sledge finished eighth in the final.
A filly has won two of the past four editions of the Hambletonian, with Atlanta capturing the trophy in 2018, and 15 overall in 96 years.
The Hambletonian is the middle jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown, between the Yonkers Trot and Kentucky Futurity, which will be held Oct. 9 at Lexington’s Red Mile.
Rebuff, who won last year’s Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male trotters, has seven victories in 14 lifetime starts and $573,670 in purses. He brings a six-race win streak, dating back to last October, to the Hambletonian final and will have Tim Tetrick in the sulky. Tetrick won the 2012 Hambletonian with Market Share.
A son of Muscle Hill-Meucci Madness, Rebuff is trained by Lucas Wallin, who is making his first appearance in the Hambletonian as a trainer. Last year, he drove Cuatro De Julio in the race, finishing seventh.
Rebuff won his Hambletonian elimination by 1-1/4 lengths over Fast As The Wind in 1:52.2. The colt is owned by Kjell Magne Andersen, Pieter Delis, and Wallin.
“I couldn’t be happier with him,” Wallin said. “He came out of the race super good. We’re looking forward to Saturday.
“It’s going to be a nice and easy week for him. He jogged a couple of times here and he’s going to train tomorrow. Then after that just relax and enjoy. This is the race we all want to win. I’ve been following it since I was 12 or 13 years old. It’s a dream come true.”
Jiggy Jog S, a daughter of Walner-Hot Mess Hanover, won her elimination by a head over Temporal Hanover in 1:52.2. Joviality S was third, beaten by a neck.
This year, Jiggy Jog S has four wins and two seconds in six races. Lifetime, she has won six of 17 starts, hit the board an additional eight times, and earned $460,556. The filly, owned by Jorgen Sparredal Inc., has won three consecutive starts.
Jiggy Jog S is trained by Ake Svanstedt, who won last year’s Hambletonian with Captain Corey and in 2017 with Perfect Spirit. Dexter Dunn drove her in the elimination.
“The owner wanted to go in the Hambletonian,” Svanstedt said. “He said he would never have a chance to have a horse in the Hambletonian anymore because he’s in Sweden and he’s just buying fillies in the sales. He has bought some fillies every year because he wants to have them as broodmares. He doesn’t buy colts.
“So, he made the decision,” Svanstedt continued, adding with a laugh, “And I’m happy for that now. Now we are in the Hambletonian again. It would be nice (to win again).”
Joviality S is attempting to become only the third filly to win two jewels of the Trotting Triple Crown, which began in 1955. The two to accomplish the feat were Continentalvictory in 1996 (Yonkers Trot and Hambletonian) and Emily’s Pride in 1958 (Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity).
Trained by Marcus Melander and driven by three-time Hambletonian-winner Brian Sears, Joviality S has won six of seven races this year and 15 of 19 lifetime. The homebred daughter of Chapter Seven-Pasithea Face S has earned $1.26 million for owner Courant Inc.
“I thought she raced great,” Melander said about Joviality S in her elimination, which she started from post 10. “From the 10-hole, it was a tough first half, :55.2, and the track was a little deep. It was a fast first half, even if the third quarter was a little slower. She got outsprinted. They came home in :27 flat, and Jiggy Jog was just a little faster.
“Brian said he was super happy with her. If Brian is happy with her, then I’m happy with her.”
Joviality S is one of three Hambletonian finalists for Melander. She is joined by Temporal Hanover and Periculum.
The Hambletonian will be race 15 on Saturday’s card. Post time will be approximately 6:35 p.m.
$1 million Hambletonian final
Post, Driver, Trainer, Morning Line
1. Rebuff, Tim Tetrick, Lucas Wallin, 9-5
2. Joviality S, Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, 7-2
3. Fast As The Wind, Dexter Dunn, Tony Alagna, 8-1
4. Keg Stand, David Miller, Nancy Takter, 10-1
5. Jiggy Jog S, Dexter Dunn, Ake Svanstedt, 4-1
6. Cool Papa Bell, Brian Sears, Jim Campbell, 15-1
7. Temporal Hanover, Orjan Kihlstrom, Marcus Melander, 8-1
8. King Of The North, Mark MacDonald, Ray Schnittker, 15-1
9. Periculum, Mattias Melander, Marcus Melander, 15-1
10. Looks Like Moni, Andrew McCarthy, Nancy Takter, 15-1
Warrawee Xenia looks to keep rolling in Hambletonian Oaks
August 2, 2022, by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — Her resume pales when compared to most of her foes, but Warrawee Xenia’s current winning streak stands at seven, and her connections hope she can extend it to eight Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6) at the Meadowlands, when the daughter of Walner-Endless Flirt leaves from post three as the 5-1 third choice on the morning line in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, for 3-year-old trotting fillies.
“I hope we can get away mid-pack,” said trainer Mark Steacy. “As long as we can stay close to them, I think our horse can go real fast in the stretch.”
Based on her performance in the second of two Oaks eliminations last week, that’s a big understatement.
Fashion Schooner, the New Jersey Sire Stakes and Del Miller winner, was sailing along on the lead as the 1-5 favorite when the field hit the head of the stretch. Warrawee Xenia, a 7-1 shot who was bothered around the far turn, was sixth at this point, more than five lengths behind the leader. She then veered wide for the stretch drive and nailed Fashion Schooner by a head in a lifetime best 1:52.2 after sprinting her final quarter in :26.4 in an effort that left onlookers shocked.
Bob McClure, who won the 2019 Hambletonian with Forbidden Trade, wasn’t all that moved.
“That actually wasn’t this filly at her best,” he said. “She struggled a little bit in the turns, and she usually does that when she’s got a little bit of a muscle issue. Mark is pretty good at fixing her up, and usually the next week she’s dynamite. So, I think you’ll see an even better version [Saturday].”
Warrawee Xenia’s road to the Oaks has been anything but typical. After a 2-year-old campaign that saw her race five times and win only once, she began this season with a second-place finish at her home track of Woodbine Mohawk Park against non-winners of two before beating that kind of stock four times in a row. She then bumped up to non-winners of three and won two more before last Saturday.
“This horse, even last year, showed lots of talent,” said Steacy. “She just ran into a few problems. Coming back this year, those problems seemed to be gone. The speed was there, and we raced this horse right. She started in non-winners of two and got really confident. She was trotting home in 27 seconds every week up there [at Mohawk] and doing it with the earplugs in every time.
“She didn’t make any money last year, so it was tough to pay some of those early stakes payments. But, like I said, we thought we had a nice filly, and we are gearing up for the last half of the season.”
If Warrawee Xenia is to complete this Hambletonian Oaks fairy tale with a victory, she’ll have to earn it.
Venerable, who won the other elim in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:52.4, will depart from post five and is listed at 9-5 for trainer Nifty Norman and driver Dave Miller, while Fashion Schooner will start out at 4-1 from post 10 for Tim Tetrick and Jim Campbell.
But Steacy remains optimistic.
“[Winning the Oaks] would be a nice feather in our cap,” he said. “We have a pretty talented filly. If she brings her ‘A’ game, we have a pretty good shot.”
The Hambletonian Oaks has a post time of 4:48 p.m. and will be shown live on Fox Sports 2. The big Hambletonian Day card at The Meadowlands kicks off at noon with the first of 16 races.
$500,000 Hambletonian Oaks final
1. Yanaba, Andy McCarthy, Dan Daley, 8-1
2. Bare My Soul, Yannick Gingras, Linda Toscano, 15-1
3. Warrawee Xenia, Bob McClure, Mark Steacy, 5-1
4. Manon, Dexter Dunn, Lucas Wallin, 8-1
5. Venerable, David Miller, Nifty Norman, 9-5
6. Selfie Queen, Jimmy Takter, Nancy Takter, 10-1
7. Baptism, Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt, 15-1
8. Pink Coco Chanel, Dexter Dunn, Tony Alagna, 12-1
9. Mon Cheval, Andy McCarthy, Nancy Takter, 15-1
10. Fashion Schooner, Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell, 4-1
Tratter Co. Back at the Meadowlands for Pace-Off Part Deux
East Rutherford, NJ - Nick Luciano, Blake Moore, Beau Deatrick and Roy Dinges are back at the Meadowlands Racetrack for the Tratter House Pace-Off Part Deux #Trattertonian on Friday, August 5.
Blake Moore, aka B Moe, took the first Tratter House Pace-Off on July 15th and Nick, Beau and Roy are out for revenge!
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association would like to thank OnGait.com, the SBOA of NJ, Mark Ford and the Hambletonian Society for helping with this special event.
The Tratter Co. Pace Off will take place after Race 4 on Friday. Nick, Blake, Beau and Roy will be paired with a top Meadowlands driver in this ½ mile pace.
Fans of Tratter Co. are encouraged to come out and cheer on their favorite social media star.
Plus on Hambletonian Day, Saturday, August 6th, Nick, Blake, Beau and Roy will host a meet and greet in the Harness Racing Fan Zone tent and be on hand for harness racing’s greatest day.
Details can be found at https://playmeadowlands.com/event/tratter-co-pace-off/
Pocket a design by Hambletonian trophy artist
By Ellen Harvey for the Hambletonian Society
The Hambletonian trophy is trotting’s most elusive prize. Beyond the staggering odds of having the sole 3-year-old trotter in the world better than all the rest on one Saturday in August, the trophy stays in the care of The Meadowlands after celebration of the day, owing to its value and risk of damage. While no one truly owns a Hambletonian trophy, now anyone can own a design by the artist who created it.
For decades, a few words in the Hambletonian media guide gave but passing mention of Laura Gardin Fraser for her design of a horse head on the Revere bowl that’s been the Hambletonian trophy since Peter Astra won it in 1939.
“It [the trophy] features a bas relief of a horse’s head designed by Laura Fraser for the Park Avenue [New York] design firm of Warren D. Perry.” reads the line in the guide.
When the Hambletonian Society chose Fraser to enhance the prize for trotting’s classic race, she was already a prolific, accomplished sculptress. A lifelong horsewoman who learned to play polo when she was commissioned to create a polo medal, her animal designs, everything from Irish Setters to goats, were praised for their detailed and realistic portrayal.
Fraser, born in 1889 and raised in New York City, was educated at the Horace Mann School, Columbia University and the Art Students League. She was best known for her medal and coin designs, including the Army and Navy Chaplain’s medals, a Congressional Medal commemorating the flight of Charles Lindbergh, and the granite Pegasus in Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Her bronze statue of Fair Play, sire of Man O’ War, stands guard over the horse cemetery at Normandy Farm on Paris Pike in Lexington.
Her design of the Alabama centennial half dollar in 1921 made her the first woman to design a coin for the United States Treasury. In 1935, she was the sole woman among six sculptors asked to submit a design for a statue depicting the last meeting of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee before the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, to be erected in Baltimore. Her design was chosen and completed in 1948 as the only double equestrian statue in the country. The statue was vandalized and later removed to storage in 2017 by unanimous vote of the City Council, as it was perceived as a symbol of racial injustice.
It was easy to see Laura Fraser was equal to the task of creating a simple horse head in silver. What could not have been foreseen is that in 2022, 83 years after completion of the Hambletonian trophy and 56 years after her death in 1966, her work would be in nearly every American’s pocket.
In 1931, she was the winner of a competition to determine the design of a new quarter to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. Her offering won that contest with praise for its “simplicity, directness and nobility,” from the United States Commission of Fine Arts as recommended to then-Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon. Mellon, however, chose a design by a competitor, John Flannigan, that continues to be struck to this day.
This year, finally, Fraser’s image of Washington created in 1931 will be fully utilized in a four-year series of quarters celebrating 20 notable women in American history. Through 2025, Fraser’s image of Washington will be used for the American Women Quarters series that currently has three designs in circulation – poet Maya Angelou, astronaut Sally Ride and Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller.
Laura Fraser died on Aug. 13, 1966, two weeks before the owners of Kerry Way posed in Du Quoin, Ill., with the trophy bearing her creation. She is buried in Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport, Conn., where she and her husband, James Earle Fraser, also a sculptor, built a studio after their marriage in 1913.
A look back at Alf Palema's perfect Hambletonian timing
By John Sacco for the Hambletonian Society
PHOTOS: Ove Bender & Karl-Erik Bender; Alf Palema; Bender, Micky McNichol & Per Eriksson (Hambletonian Society photos).
If timing is everything, driver Mickey McNichol’s and trotter Alf Palema’s were impeccable 30 years ago.
Pulling one of the greatest upsets in Hambletonian history, unheralded Alf Palema took the lead two steps from the finish line and whisked past stablemate King Conch for an unexpected victory in 1:56.3 in 1992.
“I was just looking to get some money,” said McNichol. “We just came up the rail. I couldn’t have had a luckier day in my life.
“I had never heard of him until the week of the Hambletonian. I was told the horse was OK, that he was a handy guy. I wind up driving him in the eliminations and we finish second.
“In the final, I stayed along the rail and hoped for the best.”
That is exactly what McNichol and Alf Palema got capturing the $1.38 million Hambletonian.
Per Eriksson, who trained both Alf Palema and King Conch, was completely focused on King Conch. Eriksson was about to celebrate a great victory. Actually, he did just that. It took a few minutes for Eriksson to realize it.
“I was in the driver’s room and watching the race inside,” Eriksson explained. “King Conch was in the lead, and I was focused watching him. He gets beat and I’m kicking a cabinet, and I was mad, and I didn’t realize it was Alf Palema who beat him. Everything just opened inside, and he was there to win.
“Of course, I was very happy and surprised. I owned 25 percent of him, and it was just wonderful. I felt bad for King Conch, but that is racing. It was a great win for Alf Palema.”
Eriksson became the first trainer to win consecutive Hambletonian’s since Billy Haughton did it in 1976 and 1977. Eriksson won with Giant Victory in 1991.
The harness racing world was stunned.
Because Alf Palema and King Conch were an entry in the race, they went off at 3-1 odds.
“If (Alf Palema) weren’t part of an entry, he’d have gone off at 50-1,” McNichol speculated.
“He probably would have gone off at least 30-1,” said Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, who drove filly Armbro Keepsake in the race, “maybe way more than 30-1.”
Prior to the Hambletonian, Eriksson was skeptical of Alf Palema having success in the race. He seriously thought of not entering the trotter.
“I was so-so on putting him in the race,” Eriksson said.
Karl-Erik Bender, the majority owner of the horse, decided Alf Palema would be one of a then-record 27 entrants.
Eriksson was more focused on King Conch, the 1991 Breeders Crown champion, who was considered a top contender to win the final.
Neither Eriksson nor McNichol thought Alf Palema had a chance even after Alf Palema (Speedy Somolli – Highland Bridget by Super Bowl) finished second in one of three nine-horse eliminations that day.
Campbell, who had Armbro Keepsake right with King Conch at the head of the stretch, said there are reasons why Alf Palema was able to win and steal the victory.
“I did feel good about my horse,” said Campbell, who now is the president and chief executive officer of the Hambletonian Society. “I thought we had a really good chance when we tipped out. But we hung mid-stretch. We didn’t have her equipment figured out just yet.
“You have to give Mickey the credit. He drove the horse like a 30-1 shot. He found a spot and stayed with it.
“It was a tired stretch, as I say. He had his horse in position and (Alf Palema) outmuscled all the tired horses and he won the race with his last two steps. It was a textbook drive. He never used him too hard, and he wins the race. It was a great drive.”
Eriksson did his part as well. Long a proponent of allowing horses to compete and train without shoes, Eriksson took the shoes off Alf Palema for the race.
“We thought it might help him pickup another one-fifth of a second,” Eriksson. “He was a longshot. We had nothing to lose.”
The way the race unfolded also helped increase Alf Palema’s chances to make history.
“I had more or less wanted to cut the mile.” John Patterson Jr., King Conch’s driver, was quoted as saying after the race. “But doing that might have meant that I might not have been able to win it. I had to go a little more than I wanted when Armbro Keepsake came at me. And that strong (20 mph) wind hurt.”
King Conch left strong from post two with Valley Boss Bi second followed by Alf Palema, Baltic Sonata and Armbro Keepsake. They went to the quarter in :27.4.
Baltic Sonata pressured King Conch to create a duel to the half. Valley Boss Bi sat in the pocket third while Campbell moved Armbro Keepsake second-over in fourth ahead of Alf Palema. King Conch reached the half in :57.2.
Armbro Keepsake applied pressure to King Conch, tipping three-wide to advance beside the leader. While Baltic Sonata started to fade, Valley Boss Bi sat in the pocket followed by the lurking Alf Palema. The horses hit three-quarters in 1:28.1.
King Conch maintained his lead. As Campbell said, his horse “hung,” and Valley Boss Bi moved off the rail and went off stride. Alf Palema trotted up the rail while Herschel Walker gained on the leader. It was Alf Palema in deep stretch overtaking his stablemate and doing the unthinkable.
“Sometimes, it’s just being in the right place at the right time,” McNichol said. “Fortunately, Alf Palema and I were in the right place at the right time that day.”
Alf Palema earned $552,000, the winner’s share of the Hambletonian final purse of $1.1 million – quadrupling his lifetime earnings.
After the Hambletonian, Alf Palema went on to win the $655,000 World Trotting Derby. Alf Palema became the first starter to win the Hambletonian by winning only one heat – the final.
He was named the 1992 Trotter of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association and the North American Racing Secretaries. Alf Palema was also named 3-year-old trotting colt champion.
A foot injury ended Alf Palema’s career. He became the most prolific stallion in Sweden where he stood in stud during retirement.
“Alf Palema peaked at the right time,” Eriksson said. “He earned what he got.
“He turned out to be a great horse. As a stallion, he was one of the best ever in Sweden.”
Alf Palema was the last horse bred by George Alexander, whose Chestnut Farm raised and bred trotters. It was the first Hambletonian winner bred by Alexander, who was a director of the Hambletonian Society and a member of its Executive Committee.
“I think because I got him to go early, he got a spot and we got a good trip,” McNichol said. “He made history. We had a lot of luck that day. Our timing was just right.”
Hambletonian Day at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Saturday, August 6th Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment showcases the 97th Hambletonian, also known as “harness racing’s greatest day.” Home to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks since 1981, the Meadowlands hosts a day of fun for the entire family including epic races, carnival rides & games, pony rides & hat contest, food trucks, live music and giveaways.
The Grandstand doors open at 10 am with $5 admission. The giveaways begin immediately, including 2022 Hambletonian baseball cap for adults and children with paid admission. $5 admission can be purchased in advance at https://meadowlandsracetrack.ticketleap.com/2022-hambletonian-day-tickets/
The first race post time is 12 noon. The 97th Hambletonian, America’s Trotting Classic, is the richest trotting race in the world for 3 year olds with a purse of $1 million. The companion filly event, the Hambletonian Oaks, is worth $500,000. There will be a total of 16 races on Hambo Day totaling over $3 million in stakes purses.
The Backyard will be filled with free carnival rides, games and pony rides plus a free live concert by the popular Craig Sailer Project beginning at 11 am. Racing fans can grab a Hambo flag, snag driver and trainer autographs and meet the Tratter Co. boys at the Harness Racing Fan Zone Tent.
Fans can grab some food from some delicious food trucks including Clyde’s Homemade Italian Ices and Ice Cream, Delicious BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, The Mozzarella God, Mi Sabor Boricua, Caribbean Soul, The Little Sicilian, Magic Mike’s Smoked Meats, The Empanada Truck, Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn, F&A’s Burgers, Wings and More, My Delicious BBQ, Angry Archie’s and DAW Concessions. Plus grab a cold and refreshing Trotter’s Gold golden ale brewed by Ghost Hawk Brewing Co commemorating 2021 Hambo winner Captain Corey.
Bring your most creative hat for the chance to win the Hambletonian Hat Contest. Sign up at the track level promotions table and make your way to the track before Race 4. First place wins $500, second place $250, third place $100, fourth place $50 and the most elegant hat wins $100.
The Hambletonian Oaks is scheduled for Race 12 at 4:48 pm and the Hambletonian Final is scheduled for Race 15, with a post time at 6:35 pm.
For all things Hambletonian, visit http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/hambletonian/
SEE THE HAMBO AND OAKS DRAW LIVE
SEE THE DRAW: The post position draw for both the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks will take place Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Dr. Patty Hogan’s Hogan Equine Clinic in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.
For those who will be in attendance, the event begins at 2 p.m. The post draws will start at 3 p.m. and will be shown live on both The Meadowlands’ Facebook Live page as well as The Big M’s YouTube Channel.
Big M TV’s Dave Bower, Jessica Otten and Gary DiLeo will be there with commentary and interviews.
JIGGY JOG S JOLTS IN HAMBO ELIM SURPRISE, REBUFF RELENTLESS IN VICTORY
By Ray Cotolo, for the Meadowlands
Photos: Lisa Photo
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – A pair of fillies dropped into the box of the Hambletonian eliminations to try and become the third to beat the boys in the last five years and the 16th in the history of the event. Focus centered on Marcus Melander pupil Joviality S in the second $100,000 elimination on Saturday (July 30) at The Meadowlands until Jiggy Jog S stole the spotlight in the final yards.
Driver Dexter Dunn hustled Jiggy Jog S towards the lead and yielded for a pocket ride to King Of The North to a :27.4 first quarter. Joviality S, pushing from post 10 as the 4-5 favorite, then swooped to the lead before a :55.2 half. Her stablemate Temporal Hanover took first over to the final turn and pressured the leader to three-quarters in 1:25.2 and appeared as the main threat to Joviality S swinging for home.
Temporal Hanover dug into Joviality S through the lane as the filly held her ground and attempted to counter the challenge. Though suddenly, with second-over Testing Testing faltering, a lane opened for Dunn to fire Jiggy Jog S off the pegs and around the Melander-trained duo to jet home and land a head in front at the end of a 1:52.2 mile. Temporal Hanover took second from Joviality S while King Of The North and Keg Stand completed the top five.
“We did get lucky [to get out],” Dunn said after the race. “She’s such a handy filly. She was great off the gate and sat in a hole beautifully. The pace really was slow coming off the last turn and she was loaded in trot, but we had a lot of horses around us. We got a gap and she really exploded with a fast sprint there to the finish. I knew she’s got speed [but] this definitely was the best she’s felt tonight. There were a ton of really good horses she was [going] past at the end, but she’s a lovely filly.”
Jiggy Jog S recorded her sixth win from 17 starts while pushing her bankroll to $460,556 for owner Jorgen Sparredal Inc. The Ake Svanstedt-trained daughter of Walner secured a protected draw from posts 1 through 5 for the $1-million Hambletonian and will have a chance, along with finalist Joviality S, to join the recent ranks of Atlanta in 2018 and Ramona Hill in 2020 on the plaque of America’s trotting classic.
Off at odds of 6-1, Jiggy Jog S paid $14.80 to win.
Driver Tim Tetrick patiently rolled the Lucas Wallin pupil Rebuff to the front and coasted to a 1:52.2 victory as the decisive favorite to win the first $100,000 Hambletonian elimination.
A four-wide prong pushed first the front into the first turn, with Looks Like Moni landing on top to a :27.4 first quarter before pocket-sitting Fast As The Wind circled to the lead into the backside. Rebuff floated onto the rim and advanced steadily to overtake Fast As The Wind after a :56.2 half.
Periculum, part of the first-turn skirmish, pulled first over heading to the far turn and kept in contact with Rebuff to three-quarters in 1:24.2. But Rebuff stayed on the muscle straightening for home, cruising to a 1-1/4 length win over Fast As The Wind as he gave flattening pursuit from second.
“We raced plenty of times as a 2-year-old and he’s a nice sized horse and good gaited, so we figured he probably didn’t need so many starts to get him in shape,” trainer Lucas Wallin said of Rebuff’s light sophomore schedule. “And so far the plan has been working pretty perfect.”
The remainder of the field finished tightly bunched, with Cool Papa Bell, Periculum and Looks Like Moni securing the remaining five spots, respectively, to advance to the final.
Rebuff, also earning a protected post draw with the win, remains unbeaten from three starts this season while adding a seventh win to his 14-race resume. He has banked $573,670 for owners Kjell Magne Andersen, Lucas Wallin and Pieter Delis, and returned $2.40 to win.
VENERABLE AND WARRAWEE XENIA WIN HAMBLETONIAN OAKS ELIMINATIONS
By Frank Cotolo, for The Meadowlands
Photos: Lisa Photo
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Favorite Venerable and outsider Warrawee Xenia each won in the $40,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 30).
Venerable won with ease as the 4-5 favorite in the first eliminations. The daughter of Walner sprinted off the gate as Bare My Soul took the lead from the outside, but not for long. Driver David Miller guided Venerable around the early leader to click the first quarter in :28. Miller kept Venerable comfortable on top with all foes following to hit the half in :56.2.
From the back, Misswalner Fashion took to the outside but wound up second over when Manon shifted to an overland journey. Venerable meanwhile recorded three-quarters in 1:24.3. Misswalner Fashion broke rounding to the bottom of the turn while Bare My Soul raced revved in a tight pocket to the inside of Selfie Queen and late-charging longshot Yanaba. Yet Venerable was not threatened at the finish, winning by three-quarter lengths in 1:52.4 over Yanaba and Bare My Soul. Also making the final were Selfie Queen and Manon.
Trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman for owners David McDuffee, Melvin Hartman, Paul Bordogna and Steve Arnold, Venerable paid $3.80 to win and hoisted her lifetime earnings to $1,116,548. It was the 12th win of her career.
Trainer “Nifty” Norman said Venerable has been going well through her sophomore season. “Each start since she broke [in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Final] has been a little better and you can see in her form she has been getting stronger all the time, and I think we're in good shape.” He did have some concern, he said, “because she seemed a little sleepy there, but I saw her prick her ears about a hundred yards off the wire and I thought that's okay, she knows what she's doing.”
In the second Hambletonian Oaks elim, Canadian shipper Warrawee Xenia – with Bob McClure in the bike – stormed furiously from near last to first in the stretch to beat overwhelming favorite Fashion Schooner in 1:52.2.
Mon Cheval was quickest leaving the gate with Baptism and Raised By Lindy the immediate chasers. Just after the :27.1 first quarter, Fashion Schooner took to the outside and brushed to take the lead. Sitting mid-pack at the :56 half, Pink Coco Chanel shifted to the outside and trotted swiftly into a threatening position going after the leader and was hunting him by three-quarters in 1:24.2.
Though the complexion changed as Warrawee Xenia launched a freewheeling charge in the stretch and easily surprised Fashion Schooner at the beam to win her eighth race of the season and record a lifetime best of 1:52.2 by a half length. Pink Coco Chanel finished third, with Mon Cheval and Baptism completing the finalists.
"This horse, even last year, showed lots of talent,” trainer Mark Steacy said. “She just ran into a few problems. Coming back this year, the problems seemed to be gone [and] the speed was there. We raced this horse right -- she started in non-winners of two, she got really confident. She was trotting home in :27 every week up there and doing it with earplugs in all the time.
"That actually wasn't this filly at her best,” McClure said after the race. “She struggled a little bit in the turns tonight – she usually does that when she has a little bit of a muscle issue. But Mark's pretty good at fixing her up and usually the next week she's dynamite. So I think you'll see an even better version [of her] next week.”
Mark Steacy, David McDonald, Dale Larson and Diane Bertrand own Warrawee Xenia. The Walner sophomore raised her lifetime earnings to $74,515. She paid $16.60 to win.
EVENT ALERT: HAMBLETONIAN FAN EXPERIENCE EVENT AT AMERICAN DREAM ON JULY 30TH 2022
AMERICAN DREAM & HAMBLETONIAN SOCIETY HOST FAN EXPERIENCE
EVENT PREVIEWING THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS RACE IN HARNESS RACING
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., JULY 30th, 2022 – American Dream and the Hambletonian Society are teaming up to host a Harness Racing Fan Experience event at the entertainment/retail center on July 30th from 1-3pm. The Fan Experience will preview the upcoming races and highlight some of the biggest moments in harness racing, experience the thrill of driving a harness horse with a virtual reality racing experience, showcase trophies and memorabilia, winning Hambletonian drivers, and a family-friendly pony to interact with fans.
Saturday’s event kicks off a week of horse racing and other exciting events at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Elimination races and a seafood festival start on Saturday night at 5pm following the Fan Experience at American Dream. Harness Racing’s greatest day, the $1 million 97th Hambletonian, is on August 6th featuring a food truck festival, live music, carnival rides and the ‘Hambo Hat Contest.’
A list of the Fan Experiences being offered at American Dream by the Hambletonian Society are below:
· Meet and greet Hambo Pony
· Get a picture taken with the iconic Hambletonian trophy
· Meet the first driver to ever win a Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, Ray Remmen and get an autograph from the winningest Hambletonian driver of all time, John Campbell, who has won six Hambletonians and $300 million in purses
· Meet Hambo Tony, the official mascot of the race
· Pick up passes to Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands on Saturday, August 6
· Experience the thrill of driving a harness horse with a virtual reality racing experience
· Free posters and other Hambletonian souvenirs
Event Details:
WHO: The Hambletonian Fan Experience at American Dream
WHAT: Harness Racing Highlights, Memorabilia, Trophies, a family-friendly pony, harness racing drivers and trainers available for interview – preview of the $1 million 97th Hambletonian Race
WHERE: American Dream, The Garden
WHEN: Saturday, July 30th from 1-3pm
VISUALS: Shoppers and fans interacting with exhibit, interviews with harness racing drivers and harness racing experts, racing highlights, trophies, memorabilia, a family friendly pony for children to interact with
ABOUT THE HAMBLETONIAN SOCIETY:
The Hambletonian Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1924 to sponsor the race for which it was named, the Hambletonian Stake. The Society’s mission is to encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration and promotion of harness racing stakes, early-closing races and other special events.
The Hambletonian Society currently services 147 of harness racing’s richest and most prestigious events held at 13 North American racetracks under seven state jurisdictions. These include harness racing’s most prominent race, the Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters, its filly division, the Hambletonian Oaks and the sport’s championship series, the Breeders Crown.
For more information visit https://www.hambletonian.com/
ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM:
American Dream, developed by Triple Five Group, is an unparalleled mix of world-class entertainment, retail and dining, comprising more than 3 million square feet just minutes away from New York City in East Rutherford, New Jersey. American Dream is home to leading attractions, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Big SNOW Ski Hill, Dream Wheel – a 300-foot observation wheel overlooking the NYC skyline, as well as attractions debuting soon such as The Game Room Powered by Hasbro and Skip Barber Racing Go-Kart Academy. American Dream’s immersive luxury shopping and dining experience – The Avenue – features Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Dolce&Gabbana, Carpaccio, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, and much more. The retail collection is further expanded with flagship locations for Aritzia, H&M, PRIMARK, Uniqlo, Sephora and Zara; as well as the Toys“R”Us global flagship, the only standalone location in the U.S, and the world’s first and only “candy department store,” IT’SUGAR.
For more information on American Dream, visit www.americandream.com or find us on Instagram @americandream and TikTok @americandream_official.
Joviality S leads field of 20 into Hambletonian eliminations
July 27, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Cranbury, NJ — Joviality S, who earlier this month became the first female to beat the boys in the Yonkers Trot since 1996, will begin her quest for the second jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown on Saturday (July 30) when she starts from post 10 in the second of two $100,000 eliminations of the Hambletonian Stakes at The Meadowlands.
Twenty horses were entered in the Hambletonian, the sport’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters, requiring the two 10-horse eliminations. The top five finishers from each elim advance to the $1 million final Aug. 6 at The Big M. Elim winners draw for post positions one through five followed by the remaining finalists receiving their posts in an open draw.
A total of 16 horses entered the filly companion event, the Hambletonian Oaks, including 2021 Dan Patch and O’Brien awards winner Venerable. The top five finishers from Saturday’s two eight-horse $40,000 eliminations will meet in the $500,000 final, also on Aug. 6 at The Big M.
Joviality S, unbeaten in six races this year for trainer Marcus Melander, was one of two fillies entered in the Hambletonian. The other, Jiggy Jog S, is from the stable of Åke Svanstedt, who won last year’s Hambletonian with Captain Corey and in 2017 with Perfect Spirit.
It is the second time in three years that multiple fillies head to the Hambletonian. Ramona Hill and Sister Sledge faced the boys in 2020, with Ramona Hill winning both her elimination and the final. Sister Sledge finished fourth in her elimination to advance to the final, where she went off stride and finished eighth.
A filly has won two of the past four editions of the Hambletonian, with Atlanta capturing the trophy in 2018, and 15 overall in 96 years.
The Hambletonian is the middle jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown, between the Yonkers Trot and Kentucky Futurity, which will be held Oct. 9 at Lexington’s Red Mile. A filly has never won the Trotting Triple Crown, which began in 1955. Two fillies have won two jewels: Continentalvictory in 1996 (Yonkers Trot and Hambletonian) and Emily’s Pride in 1958 (Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity).
Joviality S enters the Hambletonian off a career-best 1:50.2 win in a division of the Delvin Miller Memorial on July 16 at The Meadowlands. The homebred daughter of Chapter Seven-Pasithea Face S, who has won 15 of 18 career races and finished worse than second only once on her way to $1.25 million in purses, is owned by Anders Ström’s Courant Inc.
She is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in her Hambletonian elim.
“We said if she raced good (in the Miller) we would go against the colts, and she was very good,” Melander said. “She came out of the race good and we’re very happy with her. It will be very exciting.
“It’s going to be a tough race, but I think she can do it. We’ll see. But first we have to make the final. That’s the first main goal. You can never take anything for granted.”
Starting from post 10 will make her task more challenging, but Joviality S won from the outermost position on the gate at The Meadowlands last year in the Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old filly trotters.
“There is nothing we can do about it,” Melander said. “We just have to have her at her best, like we were planning to do. We just have to live with it and make the final anyway. It’s good horses in there, so it’s going to be tough from the 10-hole, but she’s a great horse and we’ll hope she can overcome it.”
In addition to Joviality S, Melander will send four colts into the Hambletonian, including Temporal Hanover and Periculum, who finished 1-2 in the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Main Event on July 9. His remaining two starters are Letsdoit S and Theresnolimit S.
Jiggy Jog S, who is in the same elim as Joviality S, has three wins and two seconds in five races this year for owner Jorgen Sparredal Inc. and Svanstedt. She heads to the Hambletonian off back-to-back victories in the New York New York Mile on July 1 and Zweig Memorial Main Event for 3-year-old fillies on July 9. Svanstedt also entered colt Justice, this year’s Empire Breeders Classic male champion, in the Hambletonian.
The Hambletonian eliminations also include King Of The North, who was the 2021 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old male trotter, as well as Goodtimes Stakes winner Fast As The Wind and Stanley Dancer Memorial division winners Rebuff and Slay.
Fast As The Wind and Slay are trained by Tony Alagna.
Rebuff is one of two colts from the stable of trainer Lucas Wallin, along with Grand Circuit winner B A Superhero. Rebuff, last season’s Breeders Crown 2-year-old male champion, is 2-for-2 this year and has won five consecutive starts dating back to last October. He is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the first elimination, starting from post eight.
Trainer Nancy Takter has three horses in the Hambletonian, with New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Pretender joined by Keg Stand and Looks Like Moni.
The Hambletonian Oaks field, in addition to Venerable, includes Delvin Miller Memorial division winner and New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Fashion Schooner, who is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the second elimination. She won her Miller split in a career-best 1:50.1, besting Oaks hopeful Manon by three-quarters of a length.
Venerable, the 8-5 morning-line choice in the first elimination, finished second by a half length to Joviality S in their Miller division. In her previous start, Venerable won the Zweig Memorial Consolation for fillies. She is one of three fillies in the Oaks for trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman, who won last year’s Oaks with Bella Bellini. The others are Lilbitalexis and Delilah Hanover.
Other fillies heading to the Oaks with Grand Circuit victories this month are Gracelyn Hanover, Mon Cheval and Baptism.
Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EDT) at The Meadowlands. The Hambletonian eliminations are races nine and 11. The Oaks eliminations are races eight and 10.
Hambletonian
First Elimination (Race 9)
PP – Horse – Trainer – Morning Line
1 – Cool Papa Bell – Jim Campbell – 8-1
2 – Looks Like Moni – Nancy Takter – 12-1
3 – Fast As The Wind – Tony Alagna – 8-1
4 – Branded By Lindy – Domenico Cecere – 5-1
5 – Justice – Åke Svanstedt – 10-1
6 – Molotov Cocktail – Linda Toscano – 10-1
7 – Periculum – Marcus Melander – 4-1
8 – Rebuff – Lucas Wallin – 2-1
9 – Theresnolimit S – Marcus Melander – 15-1
10 – Pretender – Nancy Takter – 12-1
Second Elimination (Race 11)
PP – Horse – Trainer – Morning Line
1 – Testing Testing – George Ducharme – 10-1
2 – Chulo – Per Engblom – 15-1
3 – Temporal Hanover – Marcus Melander – 7-2
4 – Slay – Tony Alagna – 9-2
5 – Jiggy Jog S – Åke Svanstedt – 8-1
6 – King Of The North – Ray Schnittker – 5-1
7 – B A Superhero – Lucas Wallin – 8-1
8 – Keg Stand – Nancy Takter – 10-1
9 – Letsdoit S – Marcus Melander – 15-1
10 – Joviality S – Marcus Melander – 3-1
Hambletonian Oaks
First Elimination (Race 8)
PP – Horse – Trainer – Morning Line
1 – Yanaba – Dan Daley – 10-1
2 – Selfie Queen – Nancy Takter – 9-2
3 – Venerable – Nifty Norman – 8-5
4 – Lilbitalexis – Nifty Norman – 15-1
5 – Manon – Lucas Wallin – 3-1
6 – Misswalner Fashion – Jim Campbell – 6-1
7 – Bare My Soul – Linda Toscano – 15-1
8 – Gracelyn Hanover – John Butenschoen – 8-1
Second Elimination (Race 10)
PP – Horse – Trainer – Morning Line
1 – Fashion Schooner – Jim Campbell – 9-5
2 – Pink Coco Chanel – Tony Alagna – 10-1
3 – Mon Cheval – Nancy Takter – 6-1
4 – Raised By Lindy – Domenico Cecere – 4-1
5 – Delilah Hanover – Nifty Norman – 8-1
6 – Baptism – Åke Svanstedt – 7-2
7 – Peyton Hanover – Marcus Melander – 15-1
8 – Warrawee Xenia – Shawn Steacy – 8-1
Dining Options for Hambletonian Eliminations and Hambletonian Day
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – Eliminations for the $1.2 million Hambletonian and $580,000 Hambletonian Oaks highlight the Saturday, July 30 race card.
Dining for the Pink buffet is still available and reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BigM. The Saturday menu features lobster corn chowder, NY strip steak, rigatoni pomodoro and clam bake surprise.
Saturday, July 30 is also the track’s annual seafood food truck festival. The fourteen featured vendors include: The Little Sicilian, The Empanada Truck, Magic Mike’s Smoked Meats, Angry Archie’s, The Mozzarella God, Star of the Sea Seafood, DAW Concessions, Green Dog Mobile, My Delicious BBQ, Paradise Taqueria, Fat Fox BBQ, Cat Like Reflexes, Clyde’s Homemade Italian Ice and Ice Cream and Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn.
Table and dining options are extremely limited for the greatest day in harness racing – the 97th Hambletonian Day, Saturday, August 6th.
Admission is just $5 and includes a commemorative Hambletonian hat for adults and kids. Doors open at 10 am with first race at 12 noon. Parking is free.
While Café and Lounge tables have sold out there are still a few remaining promenade tables available for purchase. The promenade tables seat four and admission is included with the $300 ticket.
Admission and promenade tables can be purchased at https://meadowlandsracetrack.ticketleap.com/2022-hambletonian-day-tickets/
Those looking for outdoor dining can now make reservations for the West Apron VIP tent. The $48.95 menu includes a mixed greens salad served family-style, beef sliders, brisket, pulled pork and mac-n-cheese for entrees. Diners can end the meal with homemade brownies, cookies and fresh watermelon. Reservations can be made by calling 201-TheBigM (843-2446).
Outdoor dining is also available at the Backyard Bar & Grill. The BBQ menu features pulled pork, mac and cheese, hot dogs and hamburgers and more. Reservations can be mailed by emailing victoryreservations@arkrestaurants.com
All things Hambletonian can be found at https://playmeadowlands.com/hambletonian-news/
No change in Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 9 Top 10
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
Meadowlands Racetrack
No change in Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 9 Top 10. Eliminations for the $1.2 million Hambletonian and $580,000 Hambletonian Oaks highlight the Saturday, July 30 race card. Free pps are will be available at PlayMeadowlands.com. Post time is 6:20 pm
1 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion two-for-two in 2022, won his 3YO debut in a Reynolds division in 1:51.3, equaled a 1:49.4 track record in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post eight in first Hambo elim
2 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Chapter Seven filly six-for-six as a 3YO, 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon & 1:51 in EBC for fillies, won her Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54, beat the boys in 1:53.1 YT Final, career best 1:50.2 in Del Miller Memorial division, post ten in second Hambo elim
3 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Started two-for-two this season in NJSS, 1:54 & 1:52.3, then second by a neck [1:52.1] in NJSS Final, won the Zweig Memorial in 1:52.2, second to Rebuff in track record Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post three in second Hambo elim
4 | Branded By Lindy
| Chapter Seven | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere | Lindy Farms of Conn |
Romped in 3YO debut in 1:54.2 NYSS division @ Vernon Downs, locked in second [1:54.1] in EBC, broke/eighth in the Zweig Memorial, tough trip third in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post four in first Hambo elim
5 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner finished sixth (1:52.4) from post eight in 3YO debut @ Big M, broke/came back to finish a strong fifth [1:52.1] in another Big M overnight, second [1:52] by a neck in a Zweig consolation, runner up to longshot Slay in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post six in second Hambo elim
6 | Pretender
| Muscle Hill | Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter | Caviart Farms, Fielding, Liverman, McClelland |
Took a mark of 1:51.4 in NJSS on May 13, won NJSS Final in 1:52.1, third [1:54] in a Goodtimes elimination, third [1:52.4] from post seven in Final, third [1:53] in the Zweig Memorial, third in first Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post ten in first Hambo elim
7 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Won his NJSS 3YO debut in 1:55, third [1:52.2] from post ten in the NJSS Final, fourth [1:52.1] in Reynolds division, second to stablemate Temporal Hanover in Zweig Memorial, fourth in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post seven in first Hambo elim
8 | B A Superhero
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Winning Key Inc |
Stablemate to Rebuff won his first two 3YO starts, including a 1:54.1 NJSS division in the slop, dominated a Reynolds division in a career best of 1:51.2, fifth in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post seven in second Hambo elim
9 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Dominated his Goodtimes elimination in 1:53.2, took a new mark of 1:52.2 in Final, second to Rebuff [1:51.4] in a Reynolds division, sixth from post nine in the Zweig Memorial, fifth in a Stanley Dancer Memorial division, post three in first Hambo elim
10 | Slay
| Chapter Seven | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Crawford Farms Racing, James Crawford IV |
NYSS winner in 1:52.2 @ Vernon Downs on June 10, career best 1:51 upset in second Stanley Dancer Memorial division, gives Tony Alagna two in the Top Ten, post four in second Hambo elim
The Meadowlands Presents Hambletonian Elimination Weekend
East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands is in the homestretch of the 2022 "Championship Meet" with just two weekends of Grand Circuit racing left, but what races there will be!
Friday night features a single $20,000 elimination (field of ten to eliminate one toward next week's $400,000e finals) for both the Peter Haughton (race 6) and Jim Doherty
(race 8) Memorials for freshman colt and filly trotters, respectively.
The stakes conditions require that all ten starters in these finals have their nose on the gate, so with eleven declarations for each race, a bye is offered to the top money winners among those declared. In this case, trainer Marcus Melander accepted the pass directly into the Peter Haughton final for his NJSS champion colt Oh Well and Tony Alagna did the same for the filly Mambacita in the Doherty. Those accepting the bye will draw for post positions in the final with all others qualifying other than the elimination winners who will draw for posts 1-6.
For the first time this year the winners of the final for both will be awarded special “Win and You’re In” eligibility to the Breeders Crown finals as described in the conditions.
The 2022 Peter Haughton Memorial is sponsored by Marvin and Lynn Katz, while the Walner Syndicate will sponsor the Jim Doherty Memorial.
Friday's card includes three overnight races for 2-year-olds, an Open 2 trot and the continuing TrackMaster series saga.
Eliminations for the $1.2 million Hambletonian and $580,000 Hambletonian Oaks highlight Saturday's stakes laden program. The Open division elimination race purses will be $100,000 and the Final a cool million while the girls will race for $40,000 in the elims and go for $500,000 in next week's final.
As anticipated, the unbeaten filly Joviality (Brian Sears) was among the twenty horses entered into the open division of the Hambletonian. A perfect six for six this year, Joviality counts the Empire Breeders Classic, Del Miller Memorial in a career best 1:50.2 and the Yonkers Trot, where she defeated a field of colts, among her conquests. The post position draw was not kind the the Marcus Melander trained, Courant, Inc. owned Chapter Seven filly, she has drawn the far outside, post ten, in her elimination which is race 11.
Among the competition in Joviality's division is stablemate Temporal Hanover, recent winner of the Zweig Memorial, Stanley Dancer Memorial division winner Slay (Dexter Dunn / Tony Alagna), 2021 Peter Haughton Memorial winner King Of The North (Mark Macdonald / Ray Schnittker and the surprise entry of a second filly, Zweig filly division winner Jiggy Jog S from the Svanstedt stable.
Rebuff, currently atop the "Road To The Hambletonian" list, heads up the other division (race 9). Carefully spotted by his team, led by trainer Lucas Wallin and driver Tim Tetrick, the Muscle Hill colt has but two starts in preparation for the Hambo but has been flawless in both including a track record equaling 1:49.4 score in his Stanley Dancer win a fortnight past.
The competition is deep with Goodtimes winner Fast As The Wind (Dexter Dunn / Tony Alagna), NJSS final winner Pretender and the highly regarded Branded By Lindy among the foes Rebuff must rebuff.
Saturday's undercard contains the fourth leg of the popular Miss Versatility series with Bella Bellini, Atlanta and When Dovescry renewing their rivalry and one division of the Tompkins-Geers stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and fillies.
Saturday is also the annual Seafood Fest offering a cornucopia of delights from the deep (and shallow) for your tasting pleasure.
We, of course, offer free full card programs and the selections of our bounty of handicapping Masterminds that can earn you money in more ways than one!
Click here to access all things Hambletonian Day, including seating and dining options.
You may also consider rubbing elbows with many of those participating in the upcoming two weeks' stakes by attending the Hambletonian Charity Casino Night presented by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation & The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame on Friday evening beginning at 6:30. Among the highlights are a Poker Tournament * Table Games * Silent Auction & more, all for a good cause.
SBOANJ and the Meadowlands Partner for Dining Promotion
To participate in the weekly drawings, SBOA members should make their dining reservations as usual with the Meadowlands by calling 201-The-BigM and mentioning that they are a SBOA member.
Post time is 6:20 for both nights.
Rebuff Takes the Top Spot Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 8
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – After an impressive, track record equaling win in his Stanley Dancer division, Rebuff takes the top spot in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 8. Slay cracks the top ten after an upset win in his Stanley Dancer division.
1 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion won his 3YO debut in a Reynolds division in 1:51.3, unleashing an eye-catching :26.2, equaled a 1:49.4 track record in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
2 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Chapter Seven filly six-for-six as a 3YO, 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon & 1:51 in EBC for fillies, won her Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54, beat the boys in 1:53.1 YT Final, held off Venerable in a career best 1:50.2 in second Del Miller Memorial division
3 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Started two-for-two this season in NJSS, 1:54 & 1:52.3, then second by a neck [1:52.1] from post seven in NJSS Final, won the Zweig Memorial with a perfect trip in 1:52.2, strong second to Rebuff in track record Stanley Dancer Memorial division
4 | Branded By Lindy
| Chapter Seven | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere | Lindy Farms of Conn |
Romped in 3YO debut in 1:54.2 NYSS division @ Vernon Downs, locked in finishing second [1:54.1] as the heavy favorite in EBC, broke & finished eighth in the Zweig Memorial, third from post eight in the second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
5 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner finished sixth (1:52.4) from post eight in 3YO debut @ Big M on June 25, broke on final turn & came back to finish a strong fifth [1:52.1] in another Big M overnight on July 1, second [1:52] by a neck in a Zweig consolation, runner up to longshot Slay in second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
6 | Pretender
| Muscle Hill | Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter | Caviart Farms, Fielding, Liverman, McClelland |
Took a mark of 1:51.4 in NJSS on May 13, won NJSS Final in 1:52.1, third [1:54] coming first over in Goodtimes elimination, third [1:52.4] from post seven in Final, third [1:53] in the Zweig Memorial, solid third in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
7 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Won his NJSS 3YO debut in 1:55, fast-closing third [1:52.2] from post ten in the NJSS Final, finished fourth [1:52.1] in Reynolds division, second to stablemate Temporal Hanover in Zweig Memorial, fourth in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
8 | B A Superhero
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Winning Key Inc |
One for four Muscle Hills in Top Ten, won his first two 3YO starts, including a 1:54.1 NJSS division in the slop, dominated a Reynolds division in a career best of 1:51.2, finished fifth in the second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
9 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Dominated his Goodtimes elimination in 1:53.2, took a new mark of 1:52.2 in Final, second to Rebuff [1:51.4] in a Reynolds division, set the pace & faded to sixth from post nine in the Zweig Memorial, finished fifth in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
10 | Slay
| Chapter Seven | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Crawford Farms Racing, James Crawford IV |
NYSS winner in 1:52.2 @ Vernon Downs on June 10, rallied to a career best 1:51 upset in second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
Rebuff equals track record in Stanley Dancer
by Ray Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In the second start of his sophomore campaign, freshman Breeders Crown champion Rebuff seized the lead up the backside and held firm on the point to complete a stakes-record 1:49.4 mile — which also equaled the track record for 3-year-old trotting colts — in the first of two $125,000 divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands on Saturday (July 16).
Off the 1-2 favorite, Rebuff floated off the wings to land in third as Pretender pushed toward the top to lead by a :27.1 first quarter. Temporal Hanover then angled off the cones up the backside and circled to the lead with Rebuff tracking his move approaching a :54.3 half.
Rebuff strode around the final turn to snag a minor breather as Periculum powered first-over to press the leader by three-quarters in 1:23. Periculum levelled off the turn while Rebuff accelerated for home, sprinting in :26.4 to hold off a late charge from Temporal Hanover by three-quarters of a length. Pretender gave pursuit at the inside for third and Periculum held fourth.
“We had a plan for him after the Breeders Crown, and everything has been working out perfect,” trainer Lucas Wallin said after the race. “[Tim and I] talked about it before the race, if we should try to get to the lead so he could be there before the big day.
“We’ve been very confident with him,” Wallin also said. “He actually lost a front shoe in the race. I don’t know where, but that’s even more impressive. We’re not surprised.”
A son of Muscle Hill, Rebuff has now won six races from 13 starts and banked $523,670 for owners Kjell Magne Andersen, Lucas Wallin and Pieter Delis. Tim Tetrick steered the colt, who paid $3.00 to win.
King Of The North had all his rivals at bay to his outside, but he drifted far enough off the pylons to leave a perfect seam for Slay to scoot through and score a 12-1 upset in the second Stanley Dancer division.
With Testing Testing breaking stride in tight quarters and impeding Letsdoit on the first turn, B A Superhero swept to the lead coming to the :27 first quarter as Branded By Lindy followed suit into the backside. Once Branded By Lindy landed on the lead, King Of The North then fired out of fourth to take over the lead before a :54.3 half and raced on a firm grip to the far turn.
Branded By Lindy edged off the pegs passing three-quarters in 1:23.4 and challenged King Of The North coming for home, but all the outside challengers stacked and gave even chase to the tempo-setter into the final sixteenth. However, Slay, who raced last among the six still on stride, veered by a tiring horse inside and darted through a gap to King Of The North’s inside to win by a widening 1-1/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:51. King Of The North held second from Branded By Lindy while Looks Like Moni finished fourth.
“He’s a very good colt,” said Tony Alagna, who trains Slay for Craword Farms Racing and James Crawford IV. “His biggest thing is he needs to be tactical; he needs a target. He’s not really big enough to do all the work, but if they throw him into the race like this, he’s going to beat some horses. That’s his main thing.”
Slay returned $27.80 to win in nabbing his fourth victory from 14 starts and adding to his account now worth $275,526.
Fashion Schooner, Joviality S surge to win Del Miller divisions
by Frank Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
Lisa Photo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Favorites Fashion Schooner and Joviality S proved much too tough in their respective $100,000 divisions of Saturday's (July 16) Del Miller Memorial, for 3-year-old trotting fillies, at the Meadowlands.
In the first division, Fashion Schooner and driver Tim Tetrick were much the best, winning in 1:50.1 over five rivals. Off the gate, Manon went directly to the lead from post six with Raised By Lindy leaving from the rail for second. Fashion Schooner, who landed in third early, let the first two settle before going to the outside to take command beyond a :26.2 first quarter. Those three controlled the top positions through a :54 half before Delilah Hanover charged first-over to make a bid at Fashion Schooner nearing three-quarters in 1:22.4. Manon trotted strongly in the final strides to challenge from the pocket, but Fashion Schooner crossed the finish line in 1:50.1, three-quarters of a length in front. Manon was second; Delilah Hanover stayed on for third.
The daughter of Walner won for the fourth time in her career, raising her earnings to $208,462 for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Fashion Farms LLC.
Campbell said, "I was very happy the way she dug in because [Manon] was a really good filly sitting on her back. She dug in, gave us everything she's got, and so far this year she's done everything and more than we could ask of her." Campbell praised the filly's breeding, saying it has "been pretty good to me. Broadway Donna is out of that mare, and Broadway Schooner gave us a real special day in the Hambletonian Oaks."
Fashion Schooner paid $4.00 to win.
In the other division, Yonkers Trot winner Joviality S easily controlled her six foes and held off a late bid from Venerable to win in a lifetime best 1:50.2.
Brian Sears guided Joviality S from post seven directly to the top with ease as Venerable, Selfie Queen and the others lined up behind her. In no rush, Sears marked a first quarter in :26.4, the half in :56 and asked Joviality S to accelerate to three-quarters in 1:24.1 as the fillies neared the stretch. Venerable revved up from the pocket for the only challenge, edging towards Joviality S in deep stretch, only for Joviality S to hold her ground and win by a diminishing half length. Venerable finished second with Selfie Queen picking up third.
Joviality S, a Chapter Seven filly with 15 wins in 18 career starts, raised her earnings to $1,254,818 for trainer Marcus Melander and owner Courant Inc. Joviality paid $2.60 to win.
Melander said Joviality S beat a valid foe:
"Venerable is a very fast filly, so you never know, and my filly has a closed bridle so she doesn't see the other horses. But we were thrilled with her coming home in :26.1."
It is still not official if Joviality S will take on the colts in the Hambletonian or her division’s best in the Hambletonian Oaks.
"We were going to race her here because we didn't know how she was going to be today," Melander said. "First, we have to talk to the owner and Brian [Sears] and everyone. We'll see."
Venerable set for match-up with Joviality S in Miller Memorial
July 14, 2022, by Gordon Waterstone, USTA Editorial Specialist
Lexington, KY — Two $100,000 divisions of the Del Miller Memorial for 3-year-old filly trotters are on tap as part of the undercard on Saturday night’s (July 16) Meadowlands Pace Night program at The Meadowlands. The belles of the division in 2021 — Venerable and Joviality S — will meet up for the first time this year in the second division (race three).
Trotter’s Gold Returns as the 2022 Hambletonian Beer
East Rutherford, NJ - In celebration of the 97th edition of America's greatest harness race, the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack and Ghost Hawk Brewing Company have once again teamed up to provide fans and guests with Trotter’s Gold 2022.
The $1 million Hambletonian will be raced Saturday afternoon, Aug. 6 as the finale to the championship meet at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Post time is 12 noon.
Labeled “Trotters Gold 2022”, the Clifton, NJ based brewery has produced a 4.5% abv golden ale.
It will be sold at the Meadowlands Racetrack starting Friday, July 15th and at Ghost Hawk Brewing. The beer can be rated at https://untappd.com/b/ghost-hawk-brewing-company-trotter-s-gold-2022/4900622
The 16oz beer can label features 2021 Hambletonian winner Captain Corey.
“Last year’s beer was such a hit that we had to have Ghost Hawk brew another vintage for 2022,” said Rachel Ryan, Director of Marketing and Onsite Events. “This year’s beer is refreshingly crisp, perfect for a day at the track.”
Ghost Hawk Brewing Company is a collaborative effort between two Clifton natives - Tom Rachelski and Steve Bauer. Fueled with the addition of decorated Brewmaster Chris Sheehan to the project in 2018, the brewery project kicked into high gear. Ghost Hawk Brewing Company opened its doors in April of 2019.
Joviality S, Rebuff and Fast As The Wind remain 1-2-3 in Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 7
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ - With divisions of the Stanley Dancer and Del Miller Memorial at the Meadowlands this Saturday, nine of the ten horses on Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 7 are in to go this week. Joviality S, Rebuff and Fast As The Wind remain 1-2-3.
1 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Chapter Seven filly five-for-five as a 3YO, 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon & 1:51 in EBC for fillies, won her Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54, beat the boys in 1:53.1 YT Final, did not race last week, post seven in the second Del Miller Memorial division
2 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion won a qualifier in 1:52.4, in 3YO debut 27 days later rallied from post eight to win a Reynolds division in 1:51.3, unleashing an eye-catching :26.2, did not race last week, post two in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
3 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Dominated his Goodtimes elimination in 1:53.2, took a new mark of 1:52.2 in Final, second to Rebuff [1:51.4] in a Reynolds division, set the pace & faded to sixth from post nine in the Zweig Memorial, post five in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
4 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Started two-for-two this season in NJSS, 1:54 & 1:52.3, then second by a neck [1:52.1] from post seven in NJSS Final, all the way in 1:52.2 Big M qualifier on June 25, did not race/qualify last week, post three in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
5 | Branded By Lindy
| Chapter Seven | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere | Lindy Farms of Conn |
Romped in 3YO debut in 1:54.2 NYSS division @ Vernon Downs, locked in finishing second [1:54.1] as the heavy favorite in EBC, made a break from the rail & finished eighth in the Zweig Memorial, post eight in the second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
6 | B A Superhero
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Winning Key Inc |
One for four Muscle Hills in Top Ten, won his first two 3YO starts, including a 1:54.1 NJSS division in the slop, dominated a Reynolds division in a career best of 1:51.2, did not race last week, post four in the second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
7 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Won his NJSS 3YO debut in 1:55, fast-closing third [1:52.2] from post ten in the NJSS Final, sat pocket & finished fourth [1:52.1] in Reynolds division, second to stablemate in Zweig Memorial, post three in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
8 | Pretender
| Muscle Hill | Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter | Caviart Farms, Fielding, Liverman, McClelland |
Took a mark of 1:51.4 in NJSS on May 13, won NJSS Final in 1:52.1, third [1:54] coming first over in Goodtimes elimination, third [1:52.4] from post seven in Final, third [1:53] in the Zweig Memorial, post six in the first Stanley Dancer Memorial division
9 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner finished sixth (1:52.4) from post eight in 3YO debut @ Big M on June 25, broke on final turn & came back to finish a strong fifth [1:52.1] in another Big M overnight on July 1, second [1:52] by a neck in a Zweig consolation, has the rail in the second Stanley Dancer Memorial division
8 | Justice
| Chapter Seven | Ake Svanstedt | Svanstedt, Little E LLC, Torbjorn Swahn Inc., Myfab Inc.
Second in Dexter Cup in 3YO debut, won a NYSS division in 1:53.2 @ Tioga Downs, 1:53.3 romp in EBC, won Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54.1, broke & finished sixth in YT Final, did not race last week & not In To Go at press time
Zweig events loaded with Hambo Day hopefuls
July 7, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Hightstown, NJ — A total of nearly 30 Hambletonian or Hambletonian Oaks hopefuls will be in action Saturday (July 9) at Vernon Downs when the upstate New York oval hosts Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial stakes for 3-year-old male and 3-year-old female trotters.
Joviality S Number One in Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 6
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
After her dazzling win against the boys in the Yonkers Trot, Joviality S takes over the top spot in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 6.
1 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Chapter Seven filly five-for-five as a 3YO, including a 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon & 1:51 in EBC for fillies, crushed her Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54, overcame post seven to beat the boys in 1:53.1 YT Final, not In To Go this week
2 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion won a qualifier in 1:52.4, in 3YO debut 27 days later rallied from post eight to win a Reynolds division in 1:51.3, unleashing an eye-catching :26.2, not In To Go this week
3 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Consistent son of Cantab Hall hasn’t missed the board this season in five starts, dominated Goodtimes elimination in 1:53.2, new mark of 1:52.2 in Final, second to Rebuff [1:51.4] in Reynolds division, post nine in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
4 | Branded By Lindy
| Chapter Seven | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere | Lindy Farms of Conn |
Won two Big M qualifiers, romped in 3YO debut in 1:54.2 NYSS division @ Vernon Downs, completely locked in finishing second [1:54.1] as the heavy favorite in EBC, did not race/qualify last week, drew the rail in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
5 | B A Superhero
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Winning Key Inc |
One for four Muscle Hills in Top Ten & Lucas Wallin has two in Top Five, won his first two 3YO starts, including a 1:54.1 NJSS division in the slop, dominated a Reynolds division in a career best of 1:51.2, not In To Go this week
6 | Pretender
| Muscle Hill | Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter | Caviart Farms, Fielding, Liverman, McClelland |
Took a mark of 1:51.4 in NJSS on May 13, won NJSS Final in 1:52.1, third [1:54] coming first over in Goodtimes elimination, third [1:52.4] from post seven in Final, did not race/qualify last week, post six in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
7 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner finished sixth (1:52.4) from post eight in 3YO debut @ Big M on June 25, broke on final turn & came back to finish a strong fifth [1:52.1] in another Big M overnight on July 1, post five in a Zweig consolation on July 9
8 | Justice
| Chapter Seven | Ake Svanstedt | Svanstedt, Little E LLC, Torbjorn Swahn Inc., Myfab Inc.
Second in Dexter Cup in 3YO debut, won a NYSS division in 1:53.2 @ Tioga Downs, first over 1:53.3 romp in EBC, won Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54.1, parked from post eight in YT Final, broke on final turn & finished sixth, not In To Go this week
9 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Started two-for-two this season in NJSS, 1:54 & 1:52.3, then second by a neck [1:52.1] from post seven in NJSS Final, all the way in 1:52.2 Big M qualifier on June 25, did not race/qualify last week, post three in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
10 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Won his NJSS 3YO debut in 1:55, fast-closing third [1:52.2] from post ten in the NJSS Final, sat pocket & finished fourth [1:52.1] in Reynolds division, post five in the Zweig Memorial on July 9
No change in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 5 Top Ten
The 2022 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 6
East Rutherford, NJ - No change in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 5. Seven of the top ten horses are “in to go” this weekend.
1 | Fast As The Wind
| Cantab Hall | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna | Leblanc and Kribbs, Sbrocco, Schmucker, Frank |
Third [1:52.3] in 3YO debut in a Big M overnight, then second by a nose [1:53.2], dominated Goodtimes elimination in 1:53.2, took new mark of 1:52.2 in Final, post five in Reynolds division on July 1
2 | Joviality S
| Chapter Seven | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | Courant Inc. |
Won 3YO debut in 1:53.2 NYSS @ Yonkers, dazzling 1:51.2 NYSS romp @ Vernon, 18 days later cruised to a new mark of 1:51 in EBC for fillies, won fastest Yonkers Trot elimination wire-to-wire in 1:54, post seven in Yonkers Trot Final on July 1
3 | Branded By Lindy
| Chapter Seven | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere | Lindy Farms of Conn |
Won two Big M qualifiers, romped in 3YO debut in 1:54.2 NYSS division @ Vernon Downs, completely locked in finishing second [1:54.1] as the heavy favorite in EBC, not In To Go
4 | Rebuff
| Muscle Hill | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin | Andersen, Wallin, Delis |
Breeders Crown champion gunned down King Of The North in his first qualifier as a 3YO in 1:52.4, final quarter in :27, finally makes 3YO debut from post eight in Reynolds division on July 1
5 | Justice
| Chapter Seven | Ake Svanstedt | Svanstedt, Little E LLC, Torbjorn Swahn Inc., Myfab Inc.
Second in Dexter Cup in 3YO debut, won a NYSS division in 1:53.2 @ Tioga Downs, first over 1:53.3 romp in EBC @ Vernon Downs, won Yonkers Trot elimination wire-to-wire in 1:54.1, post eight in Yonkers Trot Final on July 1
6 | Pretender
| Muscle Hill | Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter | Caviart Farms, Fielding, Liverman, McClelland |
Took a mark of 1:51.4 in NJSS on May 13, won NJSS Final in 1:52.1, third [1:54] coming first over in Goodtimes elimination, third [1:52.4] from post seven in Final, not In To Go
7 | King Of The North
| Walner | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker | Ward, Arnold, Arden Homestead Stb, Nolamaura Racing |
Dan Patch Award winner was second [1:53] in first qualifier of 2022 @ Big M, then third [1:53.1] in Big M qualifier [:26.4], sixth (1:52.4) from post eight in 3YO debut @ Big M on June 25, post four in another Big M overnight on July 1
8 | Looks Like Moni
| Muscle Hill | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter | Brittany Farms, Katz, Libfeld |
Second [1:54.2] in 3YO debut in NJSS, took a mark of 1:51.4, fourth NJSS Final, set pace & second [1:53.1] in Goodtimes elimination, broke on lead in Final, post four in Reynolds division on July 5
9 | Temporal Hanover
| Walner | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | AMG Stb, Kjellgren, Wahlstedt, Heights Stb |
Came out two-for-two in NJSS, 1:54 & 1:52.3, then second by a neck [1:52.1] from post seven in NJSS Final, all the way in 1:52.2 Big M qualifier on June 25, not In To Go
10 | Periculum
| Muscle Hill | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander | Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical, Taylor |
Won his NJSS 3YO debut in 1:55, fast-closing third [1:52.2] from post ten in the NJSS Final, took two weeks off, second [1:57.1] in Big M qualifier on June 18, post three in Reynolds division on July 1
Cool Papa Bell
COSA-TV broadcast
Meadowlands live stream
Hambletonian · Cool Papa Bell 1:51.3
Hambletonian Oaks · Fashion Schooner 1:51.2
Hambletonian Maturity · Bella Bellini 2:04.1
From the official charts.
HambletonianCool Papa BellThe biggest upset in Hambletonian historyTime1:51.3DriverTodd McCarthyTrainerJim CampbellThe full story ›
Hambletonian OaksFashion SchoonerCoasts to the Oaks from post 10Time1:51.2DriverTim TetrickTrainerJim CampbellThe full story ›
Hambletonian MaturityBella BelliniBests the boys in the MaturityTime2:04.1DriverDexter DunnTrainerR. Nifty NormanThe full story ›
Replays & Clips
Cool Papa Bell delivers 52-1 upset in 97th Hambletonian
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cool Papa Bell was a legend in baseball’s Negro Leagues, the era when players of color were banned from Major League Baseball.
Cool Papa Bell, the trotter named for the ballplayer, carved his own legend by pulling off the biggest upset in Hambletonian history on Saturday (Aug. 6) at the Meadowlands, paying $106 to win. His 1:51.3 victory was a stunning conclusion to a stakes-laden afternoon on a day when temperatures soared into the 90s at Big M.
For Jim Campbell, it was also a memorable day as he became the third trainer to win the $1 million Hambletonian and the filly companion event, the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, in the same year. Fashion Schooner paid $14 for her Oaks upset earlier in the day.
Campbell, the brother of Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, joined the elite circle occupied only by Jimmy Takter and Jan Johnson.
The Oaks surprise was just a hint of things to come:
“It’s unbelievable,” Campbell said. “It’s something that I never dreamed could happen because it’s so hard to get a horse to get into one of the races. To come out and win both of them, I’m just very blessed. I’ve gone out of here many nights when things didn’t go good in my truck, and be mad. A day like today erases any bad day I’ve ever had in horse racing.”
It was the second Hambletonian win for Campbell, who trained Tagliabue to victory in 1995.
Cool Papa Bell gave “Rising Star” Todd McCarthy the biggest driving win of his blossoming career.
McCarthy, to borrow a Thoroughbred expression, gave Cool Papa Bell a “ground-saving trip.” Away in the back of the pack, Cool Papa Bell threaded his way around horses to hug the pylons, moving into contention rounding the second turn.
Up front, 3-5 favorite Rebuff was on the lead and trying to close the deal. When he weakened, ultimately finishing sixth, an upset started to percolate. Cool Papa Bell shook loose at the top of the lane, angling outside for his first clear path in the scramble to the finish.
“We did get fortunate with a couple of breakers,” Campbell said. “That did help us. People kept moving off the rail and he kept advancing, which was the winning move. Todd deserves all the credit for that. Instead of worrying about getting into a slow outer tier, he figured to take a shot up the inside.”
From that point, it was up to the overlooked gelding.
“Out of the turn, I didn’t know they were still looking pretty cozy there,” McCarthy said. “I wasn’t quite sure how much I’d have left there, too. But when that little fella straightened, he had his mind on the job today and halfway down the stretch, I knew if everything kept going well, we’d be right there.”
Cool Papa Bell was by three-quarters of a length over the filly Joviality S, with Temporal Hanover third to give trainer Marcus Melander the second- and third-place finishers.
Cool Papa Bell posted his seventh win in 17 career starts for Scott Farber’s Runthetable Stables, from Montvale, N.J.
Farber paid $100,000 for Cool Papa Bell as a yearling, the most he had ever paid for a horse.
Sometimes bargains come in expensive packages.
Farber, a college baseball player and student of the sport, changed the horse’s name to honor the ballplayer rumored to be among the fastest players the sport had ever produced.
“I was hoping the horse would live up to the great ballplayer’s name,” Farber said. “He’s done just that.”
By Mike Farrell
| Fin | Horse | PP | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6Cool Papa Bell | 6 | 8/8Q | 8/6Q | 4/2T | 4/1H | 1/T | 1:51.3 | 27.0 | 52.00 | Todd McCarthy | Jim Campbell |
| 2 | 2Joviality S | 2 | 1/T | 2/1 | 3/1Q | 3/H | 2/T | 1:51.4 | 27.3 | 2.90 | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander |
| 3 | 7Temporal Hanover | 7 | 2°/T | 3/2Q | 2°/1 | 2/HD | 3/T | 1:51.4 | 27.3 | 10.30 | Orjan Kihlstrom | Marcus Melander |
| 4 | 5Jiggy Jog S | 5 | 5°/6 | 6°/5Q | 6°°/4Q | 5/3 | 4/1H | 1:51.4 | 27.0 | 5.40 | Dexter Dunn | Ake Svanstedt |
| 5 | 9Periculum | 9 | 10/10Q | 10/7H | 7/5 | 6/4 | 5/1T | 1:52.0 | 27.0 | 102.60 | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander |
| 6 | 1Rebuff | 1 | 3/3H | 1°/1 | 1/1 | 1/HD | 6/3 | 1:52.1 | 28.1 | *0.70 | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin |
| 7 | 10Looks Like Moni | 10 | 9°/8H | 9°/6Q | 8°/6Q | 7/8H | 7/12H | 1:54.0 | 28.4 | 90.90 | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter |
| 8 | 8King Of The North | 8 | 7°/7Q | 5°°X/4H | 9°/7T | 9/10 | 8/13Q | 1:54.1 | 28.3 | 28.80 | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker |
| 9 | 3Fast As The Wind | 3 | 4/5 | 4/3H | 5°/3 | 8/9H | 9/14H | 1:54.2 | 29.4 | 22.40 | Yannick Gingras | Tony Alagna |
| 10 | 4Keg Stand | 4 | 6/6Q | XIP7X/6Q | X10X/22T | X10X/DIS | 10/84 | 2:08.2 | 39.4 | 31.40 | David Miller | Nancy Takter |
| Horse | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6Cool Papa Bell | $106.00 | $25.40 | $10.20 |
| 2Joviality S | $4.40 | $3.20 | |
| 7Temporal Hanover | $6.60 |
Elimination 1 · Rebuff 1:52.2
| Fin | Horse | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8Rebuff | 4°/4 | 2°/1 | 1/1H | 1/2 | 1/1Q | 1:52.2 | 28.0 | *.20 | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin |
| 2 | 3Fast As The Wind | 3/1Q | 1/1 | 2/1H | 2/2 | 2/1Q | 1:52.3 | 28.0 | 8.50 | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna |
| 3 | 1Cool Papa Bell | 5/5 | 5°/3T | 5°/4Q | 5/5 | 3/2T | 1:53.0 | 27.4 | 20.20 | Brian Sears | Jim Campbell |
| 4 | 7Periculum | 3/2H | 4°/2H | 3°/2Q | 3/3T | 4/3Q | 1:53.0 | 28.1 | 26.00 | Mattias Melander | Marcus Melander |
| 5 | 2Looks Like Moni | 1/1Q | 3/1 | 4/3Q | 4/5 | 5/3H | 1:53.0 | 28.0 | 35.00 | David Miller | Nancy Takter |
| 6 | 5Justice | 8/7 | 6/4 | 6/4T | 6/6 | 6/4 | 1:53.1 | 27.4 | 13.30 | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt |
| 7 | 10Pretender | 10°/8Q | 10/6H | 10/8Q | 7/6 | 7/4Q | 1:53.1 | 27.4 | 48.30 | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter |
| 8 | 9Theresnolimit S | 7°°/7 | 9°/6 | 9°°/7H | 10/7T | 8/4Q | 1:53.1 | 27.2 | 94.20 | Orjan Kihlstrom | Marcus Melander |
| 9 | 6Molotov Cocktail | 9/8Q | 8/5 | 8/6H | 8/6H | 9/4H | 1:53.1 | 27.3 | 51.70 | Todd McCarthy | Linda Toscano |
| 10 | 4Branded By Lindy | 6°/6 | 7°/5 | 7°°/5T | 9/6T | 10/5H | 1:53.2 | 27.4 | 15.10 | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere |
Elimination 2 · Jiggy Jog S 1:52.2
| Fin | Horse | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5Jiggy Jog S | 2/1 | 3/2H | 5/2T | 5/2T | 1/HD | 1:52.2 | 26.2 | 6.40 | Dexter Dunn | Ake Svanstedt |
| 2 | 3Temporal Hanover | 4/2Q | 4°/3T | 2°/1 | 2/1 | 2/HD | 1:52.2 | 26.4 | 2.80 | Orjan Kihlstrom | Marcus Melander |
| 3 | 10Joviality S | 3°/1Q | 1/1Q | 1/1 | 1/1 | 3/NK | 1:52.2 | 27.0 | *.80 | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander |
| 4 | 6King Of The North | 1°/1 | 2/1Q | 3/1 | 3/1T | 4/2 | 1:52.4 | 27.1 | 11.80 | Mark MacDonald | Ray Schnittker |
| 5 | 8Keg Stand | 6°/5 | 7°/6Q | 6°/3T | 6/3T | 5/2Q | 1:52.4 | 26.3 | 22.80 | David Miller | Nancy Takter |
| 6 | 1Testing Testing | 5/3H | 5°/5 | 4°/2 | 4/2T | 6/3H | 1:53.0 | 27.1 | 31.40 | Todd McCarthy | George Ducharme |
| 7 | 4Slay | 7/6 | 6/6Q | 7/4 | 7/4H | 7/3T | 1:53.1 | 27.0 | 11.80 | Joe Bongiorno | Tony Alagna |
| 8 | 7B A Superhero | 9/8H | 9°/8H | 8°/5Q | 8/5H | 8/5H | 1:53.2 | 27.0 | 61.40 | Tim Tetrick | Lucas Wallin |
| 9 | 9Letsdoit S | 10/10Q | 10/10H | 10°/7 | 10/6T | 9/6H | 1:53.3 | 26.4 | 113.30 | Andy Miller | Marcus Melander |
| 10 | 2Chulo | 8/7Q | 8/7H | 9/5T | 9/5T | 10/6H | 1:53.3 | 27.0 | 115.50 | Jason Bartlett | Per Engblom |
Replays & Clips
Fashion Schooner coasts to Hambletonian Oaks triumph
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Fashion Schooner followed in the footsteps of her mother as a Hambletonian Oaks winner, rushing to the lead from post 10 and never looking back to win Saturday’s (Aug. 6) $500,000 event for 3-year-old female trotters by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:51.2 at the Meadowlands. Pink Coco Chanel finished second, just ahead of the fast-closing Yanaba.
Fashion Schooner’s dam, Broadway Schooner, won the 2009 Hambletonian Oaks. Jim Campbell trained Broadway Schooner for Fashion Farms, and the duo returned to the winner’s circle Saturday with the homebred Fashion Schooner.
“That’s everything,” Fashion Farms owner Jules Siegel said about watching Fashion Schooner duplicate her mom’s accomplishment. “We still have the mother, and she is producing just what we want her to.”
Tim Tetrick guided Fashion Schooner to victory for his third Oaks triumph, moving him into a tie with Glen Garnsey and Ron Pierce for the third most in history. Yannick Gingras holds the record with six, followed by Berndt Lindstedt with four.
After 7-5 favorite Warrawee Xenia went off stride at the start, Fashion Schooner used a :26.1 opening quarter to take the lead from Mon Cheval, and then took the field to the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.1.
“I know the first quarter was fast, but my mare was aggressive and she got out of there on the right foot and felt super,” Tetrick said. “She didn’t have any pressure, so the rest of the work was up to her.
“When it flashed up :55 (at the half), I was happy. From there on, I just kind of let her keep moving on and didn’t let anybody get too close. And, you know what? We got the job done.”
Fashion Schooner has won five of eight races this year. Her victories include the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship and a division of the Delvin Miller Memorial. For her career, she has won five of 11 starts and earned $468,462.
She was limited to three races as a 2-year-old because of sickness.
“You never know how good one is going to be, but she showed us enough last year where we thought that if everything worked right for her, she had the ability to do it,” Campbell said heading into the final. “She has high speed, she’s good-gaited, gets over the ground good, and she’s got a good attitude. She likes to race.”
Sent off at 6-1, Fashion Schooner paid $14.00 to win.
By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
| Fin | Horse | PP | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10Fashion Schooner | 10 | 1°/1Q | 1/1Q | 1/2H | 1/3 | 1/2Q | 1:51.2 | 28.1 | 6.00 | Tim Tetrick | Jim Campbell |
| 2 | 8Pink Coco Chanel | 8 | 3/2T | 3/2H | 3/3T | 2/3 | 2/2Q | 1:51.4 | 27.4 | 56.40 | Joe Bongiorno | Tony Alagna |
| 3 | 1Yanaba | 1 | 7/8Q | 7°/7H | 8/9H | 5/6H | 3/2H | 1:51.4 | 26.4 | 22.10 | Brian Sears | Dan Daley |
| 4 | 4Manon | 4 | 6/7 | 6°/6Q | 7°/8T | 6/6T | 4/3 | 1:52.0 | 27.0 | 7.80 | Dexter Dunn | Lucas Wallin |
| 5 | 2Bare My Soul | 2 | 4/4Q | 4/3T | 4/5 | 4/5H | 5/6Q | 1:52.3 | 28.2 | 39.50 | Yannick Gingras | Linda Toscano |
| 6 | 7Baptism | 7 | 8/9H | 8/7H | 5/6H | 7/6T | 6/9Q | 1:53.1 | 28.4 | 37.20 | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt |
| 7 | 9Mon Cheval | 9 | 2/1Q | 2/1Q | 2/2H | 3/5H | 7/11T | 1:53.4 | 30.1 | 90.70 | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter |
| 8 | 5Venerable | 5 | 5°/5T | 5°/5 | 6°/7H | X8X/9T | 8/20Q | 1:55.2 | 30.4 | 1.70 | David Miller | R. Nifty Norman |
| 9 | 6Selfie Queen | X6 | 10X/35H | 9/24H | 9/DIS | 9/DIS | 9/49T | 2:01.2 | 13.70 | Orjan Kihlstrom | Nancy Takter | |
| 10 | 3Warrawee Xenia | 3X | X9X/29H | 10/DIS | 10/DIS | 10/DIS | 10/85 | 2:08.2 | *1.40 | Bob McClure | Mark Steacy |
| Horse | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10Fashion Schooner | $14.00 | $7.80 | $6.20 |
| 8Pink Coco Chanel | $37.80 | $26.20 | |
| 1Yanaba | $16.40 |
| Wager | Numbers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| $1 Exacta | 10-8 | $459.60 |
| $1 Trifecta | 10-8-1 | $5,565.80 |
| $0.10 Superfecta | 10-8-1-4 | $1,771.07 |
Elimination 1 · Venerable 1:52.4
| Fin | Horse | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3Venerable | 1°/T | 1/1Q | 1/1H | 1/1H | 1/1Q | 1:52.4 | 28.1 | *0.90 | David Miller | R. Nifty Norman |
| 2 | 1Yanaba | 5/5Q | 5/5 | 5/5H | 5/3T | 2/T | 1:53.0 | 27.2 | 69.30 | Andrew McCarthy | Dan Daley |
| 3 | 7Bare My Soul | 2/2T | 2/1Q | 2/1H | 2/1Q | 3/1 | 1:53.0 | 28.1 | 38.90 | Yannick Gingras | Linda Toscano |
| 4 | 2Selfie Queen | 3/2T | 3/2H | 4/4 | 4/3Q | 4/1 | 1:53.0 | 27.3 | 8.80 | Jimmy Takter | Nancy Takter |
| 5 | 5Manon | 4/4 | 4/3T | 3°/2T | 3/1Q | 5/1T | 1:53.1 | 28.1 | 1.30 | Dexter Dunn | Lucas Wallin |
| 6 | 4Lilbitalexis | 6/6T | 6/6Q | 7/6T | 6/5T | 6/3H | 1:53.2 | 27.2 | 54.00 | Brian Sears | R. Nifty Norman |
| 7 | 8Gracelyn Hanover | 8/9H | 8°/7H | 8°/8 | X7X/10T | 7/18 | 1:56.2 | 30.1 | 38.70 | Corey Callahan | John Butenschoen |
| 8 | 6Misswalner Fashion | 7/8 | 7°/6Q | X6°X/6T | 8/20T | 8/35 | 1:59.4 | 33.4 | 13.40 | Tim Tetrick | Jim Campbell |
Elimination 2 · Warrawee Xenia 1:52.2
| Fin | Horse | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Last Q | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8Warrawee Xenia | 7/10T | 7/7T | 7/6Q | 6I/5Q | 1/H | 1:52.2 | 26.4 | 7.30 | Bob McClure | Mark Steacy |
| 2 | 1Fashion Schooner | 3/2H | 1/1Q | 1 | 1/1Q | 2/H | 1:52.2 | 28.0 | *.30 | Tim Tetrick | Jim Campbell |
| 3 | 2Pink Coco Chanel | 5/6H | 5°/5 | 3°/1H | 3/1Q | 3/1Q | 1:52.3 | 28.0 | 31.20 | Dexter Dunn | Tony Alagna |
| 4 | 3Mon Cheval | 1/1Q | 2/1Q | 2/1H | 2/1Q | 4/2 | 1:52.4 | 28.1 | 24.50 | Andrew McCarthy | Nancy Takter |
| 5 | 6Baptism | 4/4H | 4/4 | 6°°/4Q | 7I/5Q | 5/4T | 1:53.2 | 28.1 | 8.50 | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt |
| 6 | 4Raised By Lindy | 2/1Q | 3/2T | 4/2H | 4/3T | 6/4T | 1:53.2 | 28.3 | 13.10 | Yannick Gingras | Domenico Cecere |
| 7 | 7Peyton Hanover | 8/12Q | 8/9 | 8°/7Q | 8/6T | 7/15 | 1:55.2 | 29.3 | 46.70 | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander |
| 8 | 5Delilah Hanover | 6/8 | 6°/6Q | 5°/3 | 5X/5 | 8/21 | 1:56.3 | 31.3 | 16.70 | Todd McCarthy | R. Nifty Norman |
Replays & Clips
Bella Bellini bests the boys in Hambletonian Maturity
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Last year’s Hambletonian Oaks winner, Bella Bellini, journeyed overland out of her second-tier starting spot and overpowered all in her way to post a world-record 2:04.1 win over 1-1/8 miles in the $432,000 Hambletonian Maturity on Saturday (July 16) at The Meadowlands.
Driver Dexter Dunn scored Bella Bellini from the center of the gate in the second tier to track Balenciaga at race’s dispatch. She then took back to ninth before Balenciaga broke stride, leaving Take All Comers to contend with Rattle My Cage in the :25.4 first-quarter sprint to the first turn. Cuatro De Julio floated towards the lead to grab the top into the backstretch before Rattle My Cage sprang back out to reclaim the lead.
Rattle My Cage raced on an uncontested lead by a :54.2 half while Dunn got underway with Bella Bellini. No one flushed off the pylons to supply cover to the 4-year-old Bar Hopping mare, so she ground uncovered to the far turn, though she caught brief cover as Cuatro De Julio vacated the pocket when the field reached three-quarters in 1:22. Cuatro De Julio put away Rattle My Cage off the corner, but Bella Bellini barreled to a one-length victory, knocking one-fifth of a second off the stakes and world record set by JL Cruze in 2015. Ambassador Hanover hustled into contention late to settle for third and Take All Comers finished fourth.
“She’s something else,” trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman said after the race. “There was a lot of strategy there, and none of it worked out the way we thought it would. That was a real good run, to be uncovered so long.... I was a little concerned about that, but she was very relaxed trotting up there. Andy [McCarthy] pulled the two-hole, which gave her just a little bit of the cover she likes, and she did the rest.”
Bella Bellini has now banked $1,549,800, and has won 16 of her 35 starts. Norman trains last year’s Dan Patch 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year for owner David McDuffee. She paid $5.80 to win.
By Ray Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
| Fin | Horse | PP | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Str | Fin | Time | Odds | Driver | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11Bella Bellini | 11 | 8/7 | 8°/7T | 4°/3T | 2/1 | 1/1 | 2:04.1 | 1.90 | Dexter Dunn | R. Nifty Norman |
| 2 | 9Cuatro De Julio | 9 | 4°/1T | 2/H | 2/1Q | 1/1 | 2/1 | 2:04.2 | 3.70 | Andrew McCarthy | Marie Ortolan Bar |
| 3 | 3Ambassador Hanover | 3 | 5/3 | 5/4Q | 6/5 | 3/2H | 3/1 | 2:04.2 | 15.50 | Scott Zeron | Ake Svanstedt |
| 4 | 7Take All Comers | 7 | 2/H | 3/1T | 3/2H | 5/4 | 4/6 | 2:05.2 | 34.90 | Tim Tetrick | Jim Campbell |
| 5 | 10Inaminute Hanover | 10 | 10/9H | 10/10H | 9°/7H | 7/6 | 5/6T | 2:05.3 | 26.20 | Daniel Dube | Luc Blais |
| 6 | 2Ahundreddollarbill | 2 | 7/5T | 7/7 | 10/8 | 9/6T | 6/7 | 2:05.3 | 21.30 | Todd McCarthy | Tony Alagna |
| 7 | 8Rattle My Cage | 8 | 1°/H | 1°/H | 1/1Q | 4/3H | 7/8T | 2:06.0 | *1.20 | Yannick Gingras | Ake Svanstedt |
| 8 | 6Delayed Hanover | 6 | 9/8Q | 9/9Q | 7°/6 | 6/6 | 8/9 | 2:06.0 | 33.80 | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt |
| 9 | 1Incommunicado | 1 | 6/4H | 6/5T | 8/6H | 8/6H | 9/10T | 2:06.2 | REF | David Miller | Ake Svanstedt |
| 10 | 4Sonofamistery | 4 | 3/1T | 4/3 | 5/3T | 10X/7T | X10X/13 | 2:06.4 | 73.70 | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander |
| 11 | 5Balenciaga | 5 | X11X/16H | 11/27H | 11/28 | 11/27T | 11/39T | 2:12.1 | 104.80 | Mark MacDonald | Paul Kelley |
| Horse | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11Bella Bellini | $5.80 | $3.60 | $2.80 |
| 9Cuatro De Julio | $4.40 | $3.20 | |
| 3Ambassador Hanover | $4.20 |
| Wager | Numbers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Exacta | 11-9 | $13.40 |
| Trifecta | 11-9-3 | $94.60 |
| Superfecta | 11-9-3-7 | $62.59 |
