Facts about Hambletonian Day past and present
by Bob Heyden
We’re eight days out from the 100th Hambletonian and 45th Hambletonian Day in East Rutherford. Let’s look at some facts/numbers that apply to this day.
1. Driver Jason Bartlet is over $2 million up on the entire field for earnings in 2025. Never has a driver had that big of a lead and not led at year’s end.
2. Only once has a New Jersey Hambletonian seen the top three favorites cross the wire in order. In 2020 the finish was Ramona Hill (2-5) followed by Ready For Moni (7-2) then Back Of The Neck (5-1).
3. 2025 marks the 13th Hambletonian Day without Mike Lachance, 11th without Ron Pierce, ninth without John Campbell, and third without Dave Brower.
4. When was the last Hambletonian where the drivers that finished 1-2 never drove in it again? In 2001 Stefan Melander won and Bill O’Donnell was second with Scarlet Knight and Pegasus Spur, respectively.
5. None of the past three Triple Crown winners were first or second choice in the Hambletonian. Windsong’s Legacy (2004) was fourth choice, Glidemaster (2006) was third choice as was Marion Marauder in 2016.
6. In 2023 three straight winners came from last to first in three straight races in the three features: It’s Academic in the Cashman, Heaven Hanover in the Oaks, and Tactical Approach in the Hambletonian.
7. It’s been a decade since the Hambletonian winning driver was born in the USA. Brian Sears won with Pinkman in 2015.
8. Driver Braxten Boyd and Meadowlands Pace winner Madden Oaks are competing in the Cane Pace and are set for their Hambletonian Day debuts.
9. At age 36, Scott Zeron is looking for his fourth Hambletonian. In 1997, trainer Jimmy Takter was 36 when he won his first of four Hambletonians with Malabar Man.
10. It’s been seven years since Manchego went 1:50 flat the fastest ever in the Oaks. The best they could manage in the Hambletonian was 1:50.1 set by Muscle Hill (2009) and Ramona Hill (2020).
11. Dave Miller aims for his 22nd Hambletonian final, having never been favored. He did have the odds-on favorite in 2005, Ken Warkentin, but failed to get to the final.
12. Bob McClure has been 1-2 in his first two Hambletonian finals. The best beginning composite in New Jersey Hambletonian driving history.
13. For the first time ever four members of the elite $250 million driving club will be in the house on Hambletonian Day: John Campbell as head of the Hambletonian Society with Dave Miller, Tim Tetrick, and Yannick Gingras on the track.
14. Can either Tactical Landing or Nancy Takter three-peat? In 99 editions, no trainer has ever done it and no sire can claim a Hambletonian winner from his first three crops.
15. It’s been 16 years since Muscle Hill won the Hambletonian en route to HOY honors. He will be in attendance on Aug. 2 at age 19. That Hambletonian was the only one called by the late, great Sam McKee.
16. Marcus Melander looks for his Hambletonian breakthrough. Remember, he had the three in the final in 2019: Greenshoe finished second, Gimpanzee was third, and Green Manalishi S fifth.
17. Wouldn’t it be great if anyone attending Hambletonian Day this year showing proof they were born in 1926 got a $100 betting voucher?
