by Bob Heyden

Here are some fun facts to get you ready for the 99^th edition of America’s Trotting Classic.

THERE’S GOTTA BE A CATCH

From 1984-2000 — 17 editions — there was not a single driver/trainer to win the Hambletonian. It’s the longest gap in the now 99-year history of the race. Note: In the 21st century, it has happened six times.

BABY GOT BACK-TO-BACK?

If Karl wins the Hambletonian, Nancy Takter will make harness racing history. She will join Billy Haughton as the first trainer in 47 years to win a Triple Crown race back-to-back on both gaits. Takter won the Hambletonian last year with Tactical Approach and the Cane Pace in 2019-20 with Captain Crunch and Tall Dark Stranger. Haughton won the 1976-77 Hambletonian with Steve Lobell and Green Speed, and the Messenger three straight in 1974-76 with Armbro Omaha, Brets Champ, and Windshield Wiper.

CHECK PLEASE

Marcus Melander has a streak of seven-straight Hambletonian checks going. The record for consecutive checks in the Hambletonian is nine, set by Jimmy Takter in his final nine appearances from 2010-18.

GIMME TIME

Can a quarter of a century be the charm for David Miller? His Hambletonian quest began in 1999 but he still is looking to break through. Sound familiar? Billy Haughton also was empty until year 25 (1949-74) but then busted out with four in the next seven editions! Still the greatest seven-year stretch in the now 99-year Hambletonian history.

18 AGAIN

Oh, to be 18 again. Did somebody say 18 twice? Tim Tetrick is appearing in his 18^th-straight Hambletonian as well as that same number, 18 straight, in the Meadowlands Pace. He’s the only driver to ever do so concurrently.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

If either Yannick Gingras or Dave Miller win the 2024 Hambletonian (they have the two best 2YOs from 2023) it would be the first time any member of the $200 million driving club won their first Hambletonian.

TAKE ME BACK-TO-BACK

Scott Zeron looks to become the first driver in 36 years to go back-to-back in the Hambletonian. John Campbell did it in 1987-88 with Mack Lobell and Armbro Goal. Since then, only Tim Tetrick has even been as high as second the year after winning. Tetrick won in 2012 with Market Share then was runner up with Smilin Eli in 2013.

TROTTING TIME

Of the 154 horses on the card, 98 are trotters and 56 are pacers. That is the single most trotters ever on any single Meadowlands card in 48 years.

A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

Just one of the 154 horses entered on Hambletonian Day is a roan, Upallnight Hanover. There is also just one chestnut on the card, Elista Hanover, the morning-line favorite in the Oaks.

NEIN NINE

Private Access has to try and do what has never been done in Meadowlands Hambletonian history. Win from post 9. Not counting race-off years, post 9 is 39 0-1-1 with 12 checks since 1981. Only Enjoy Lavec in 1999 managed to be next best.

‘MUSCLE’ ‘BEACH’

The two most represented Hambletonian Day sires of the past dozen seasons, Somebeachsomewhere and Muscle Hill, are again in play. There are 16 on this year’s card for Muscle Hill and a quartet for SBSW, six years after his passing.

DADDY WAS A STAR

Seven sires on the Saturday card were Hambletonian favorites themselves: Uncle Peter (2012, finished eighth), Greenshoe (2019, second), Bar Hopping (2016, fifth), Devious Man (2017, second), Andover Hall (2002, last), Father Patrick (2014, last) and of course Muscle Hill (2009, winner).

THIS ONE’S FOR THE GIRLS

Eight female trainers will send out a combined 21 starters on Saturday, including the morning-line favorite in both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks, Karl and Elista Hanover, respectively.

TEN AND DUNN

Dexter Dunn has drawn three 10-holes in his now sixth Hambletonian appearance. In back-to-back years, he had Strong Soul (2019) and Amigo Volo (2020) and both were fourth.

LIKE GRANDMOTHER, LIKE GRANDDAUGHTER?

Good news for Elista Hanover. Her granddam, Moni Maker is the winningest ever horse/stakes horse (both actually) in the combined history of Hambletonian Days. Moni Maker won twice in 1996 sweeping the Hambletonian Oaks, then won the Cashman three times in 1997, 1998, and 2000.

YOU GOTTA GIVE A DAM

Dams of distinction on the card include Cooler Schooner, a world record setting freshman for John/Jim Campbell, Shake It Cerry, who banked over $2.5 million and was the 2014 “Trotter of the Year “ over both Sebastian K and Father Patrick, Worldly Beauty, who is now 25 and retired after a brilliant multiple Dan Patch career for a young Patrick Lachance, Rocklamation and Sassa Hanover, both stars for Ron Burke, Darlinonthebeach, who was a standout for Nancy Takter, Put On A Show, who 12 years ago reset the world pacing mare mark (1:47.3) on Hambletonian Day, and Emoticon Hanover, a two-time Breeders Crown winner.

HOY MIA

No previous Horse of the Year is participating on Saturday. I guess it makes sense since zero are still active.