Meadowlands horsepeople sound off on possible Hambletonian move
by Debbie Little
More than once, Jeff Gural has been quoted as saying that he didn’t think horsemen wanted to see the Hambletonian at a different track in 2027.
As a result, last week, Harness Racing Update reached out to two dozen Meadowlands’ owners and trainers and asked one simple question: Do they agree with that statement? They were also given the opportunity to share as much as they would like about the topic.
For those unaware of roughly how this all began, in short, in early September, the Hambletonian Society sent out a press release stating that they had opened up bidding for a future host track for America’s Trotting Classic. A few days later, Gural responded to that release. A month later, Gural sent out a letter to the industry which Hambletonian Society president John Campbell commented on via a conversation with Dave Briggs in last Sunday’s HRU.
A little over one-third of the horsepeople contacted responded, which, perhaps, is not such a low number when you consider that some don’t like to respond to a text, forget to respond, or simply want to stay as far away from this topic as possible.
Breeder/owners Adam Bowden and Steve Stewart are both connected to the board of the Hambletonian Society.
“As a member of the executive committee of the Hambletonian Society, I will echo any and all statements made by John Campbell,” Bowden said.
Stewart said, “I, like most on the board at the Hambo Society, would very much like to keep the race at The Big M, but words have consequences, and when Jeff [Gural] starts talking about the possibility of The Big M closing then the board must move carefully and look at the long term.
“I feel Jeff should have come to John [Campbell] in August and worked it out like he seems to want to do now. I spoke with John last week about the possibility to work it out with Jeff now, but he correctly said that it would not be fair or honorable to go back to the potential bid givers and say ‘Never mind.’”
Although some of the trainers contacted are also owners or breeders, their view goes beyond company lines.
Whereas Noel Daley said, “Meadowlands or Red Mile for me,” most of his counterparts were more specific.
Hambletonian winning trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer said, “I agree 100 per cent [with Gural]. It would be devastating for the Hambletonian to be moved to a different track,” while three-time Hambletonian Oaks winning trainer Nifty Norman said, “The Meadowlands has already been reduced to a second-tier track. Without the Hambletonian, it has no identity.”
The Svanstedt Stable has been connected to three Hambletonian champs, including the winner of the 100th edition, Nordic Catcher S.
“Keep the Hambletonian at The Meadowlands,” Sarah Svanstedt said. “The Hambletonian is more than a race — it’s the heart of harness racing, and its home is The Meadowlands.
“For generations, this track has given the sport its biggest stage and its proudest moments! Champions have been made.
“Every horseman and fan connect the Hambletonian with The Meadowlands. The two are part of each other’s identity — you can’t separate them without losing something very special.
“Let’s keep the tradition, the energy, and the heart of the sport right where it belongs. Keep it home. Keep it at The Meadowlands.”
Although trainer Ron Burke has yet to record his first Hambletonian victory, the sport’s most prolific trainer in terms of wins and money, never minds sharing his opinion when asked.
“I wholeheartedly agree that the Hambo should be at The Big M, plus no other track should race that day,” Burke said. “It is imperative that we work together to grow our biggest days.”
Trainers Bob Stewart and Nancy Takter agree that it’s about more than just The Meadowlands.
“I believe that the sport needs a strong presence on the East Coast for many reasons,” Bob said. “The Hambletonian being at The Meadowlands is an important cog in that presence,” while Hambletonian and Oaks champ Takter said, “I feel the Hambo moving from The Meadowlands is the final nail in the coffin on the East Coast for Grand Circuit racing.”
From all the comments, it appears that no one necessarily wants to see the Hambletonian leave The Meadowlands for 2027, but as the Rolling Stones so eloquently sang, “You can’t always get what you want.”
This is a complex situation and this question was not posed in any way to trivialize what is going on. It was simply asked to take the temperature of some Meadowlands horsepeople in regards to the 2027 Hambletonian. And it’s a valid question considering that yearlings already have been sold this year and shortly will be sold at Harrisburg with hopes of competing in that Hambletonian two years from now.
Although HRU reached out to Gural last week for further comments he did not directly respond, however he did share Feedback that he is done talking, at least for now.
