by Bob Heyden

Walner did not make it to the 2017 Hambletonian. He was 2-for-2 as a sophomore and then retired. His two races at age 3 were a victory in 1:50.3 and then 1:50.2, dominating in both. But, he had a banner Hambletonian Day this year as a first crop stallion, winning the Peter Haughton and going 1-2 in the Jim Doherty. Despite the fact he only had 2-year-olds racing, he was the only trotting sire on the day to win twice.

Longshots on the board

Who are the only two drivers to hit the board in the Hambletonian final at the Meadowlands with a 50-1 shot or better?

John Campbell in 2009 who was third with Calchips Brute at 59-1 and Tim Tetrick ithis year, second with Spy Booth at 55.30-1.

As for Tetrick, he also hit the board in the Hambletonian Oaks with 97.20-1 shot Contested Hanover, who finished third.

This is the first time in the entire history of these two races (the Oaks started in 1971) that one driver has hit the board in both races with the longest shot in both races.

One was the loneliest number

The rail, the winningest post in Meadowlands Hambletonian history, was blanked on the day: 16 0-1-2

Veterans Day V

For the fifth time in Meadowlands Hambletonian history the oldest driver in the field won it all.

2021 — Ake Svanstedt 62

2017 — Ake Svanstedt 58

2005 — Roger Hammer 59

2003 — Mike Lachance 52

1983 — Stanley Dancer 56 (in the final; Billy Haughton, who was four years older, was in the elims that year)

Insiders

In the last two Hambletonians and this year’s Meadowlands Pace, 13 of the 15 checks have gone to the inside 5 posts. Only Amigo Volo (10 — 4th in 2020) and Ambassador Hanover this year (post 9 — 3rd) spoiled the party.

One of the other

All four 2021 elimination favorites for the Oaks and the Hambletonian lost. Yet on Hambletonian Day, all four favorites won the Doherty, Peter Haughton, The Oaks and the Hambletonian.

Passport please

In the last three Hambletonians, the only American to get a check is Tony Alagna with 2020 winner Ramona Hill.

These broodmares were Hall over it

Cantab Hall mares had Jujubee the new sophomore trotting colt track record setter (1:49.4), third place Hambletonian finisher Ambassador Hanover, Hambletonian runnerup Spy Booth and fifth place final check getter in the Hambletonian Take All Comers.

Andover Hall had Dancinginthedark who came in with the fastest mark of the day for sophomore trotting males and Angus Hall is the sire of the dam of the Hambletonian winner Captain Corey.

Four… finally

Post four just won he Hambletonian but it had been two decades since it last happened with Stefan Melander and Scarlet Knight in 2001. What is even stranger than that is the slump post 4 was in even hitting the board. In the last 19 Hambletonians, only Mission Brief in 2015 even finished in the top three.

Three-horse entry paydirt

For the fifth consecutive year, there was a three-horse Hambletonian entry (this year there was a pair of three-horse entries). This year, marks the first time all three part of an entry cashed in.

In 2017, trainer John Butenschoen finished 4-6-7.

In 2018, Jim Campbell finished 4-8-10.

In 2019, Marcus Melander finished 2-3-5.

In 2020, Marcus Melander finished 5-7-10.

In 2021, Nancy Takter finished 2-9-10.

In 2021, Ake Svanstedt finished 1-3-4.

Training title

Jeff Cullipher wrapped up his first training title this year on Hambletonian Day. Thirty-four years ago, Joe Holloway did the same on Hambletonian Day taking five races to wind up at 106, breaking the track standard of 100 set by Dave Elliott in 1983.

40-50-60….

This year:

It was the 40th anniversary of the first New Jersey Hambletonian.

The 40th anniversary year of the Peter Haughton.

The 50th anniversary of the Hambletonian Oaks.

51-1 Delilah Hanover was third in the Jim Doherty.

55-1 Spy Booth was second in Hambletonian.

94-1 Brickhouse Babe was second in the Doherty from Walner’s first crop

97-1 Contested Hanover was third in the Hambletonian Oaks.

Streaks

Muscle Hill’s streak of five straight Hambletonian Oaks winners is now history.

Tim Tetrick now has started in 15 straight Hambletonian finals, a new mark.