by Bob Heyden

With only 30 weeks until the 100th Hambletonian, it’s never too early to start sharing some facts.

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER

Any guesses who was the only driver to make $1 million in the Hambletonian from just his first three drives? Ray Schnittker, who was third with Armbro Plato (1997) for $125,333, fourth with Armbro Trick (2000) for $128,400, and $750,000 for winning with Deweycheatumnhowe (2008), for a total of $1,003,733.

SWEET 16

John Campbell has a unique trio here. He’s been on the board 16 times in the Hambletonian (6-5-5), led North America in earnings 16 times, and led the Meadowlands driver standings 16 times. All all-time bests.

NOT ALL ABOARD

Brian Sears, who made his Hambletonian debut in 2003, had not been on the board prior to 2009 with his record-setting Muscle Hill score. He had three fourth-place finishes.

UNDER/OVER

Only Mike Lachance has won a Meadowlands Hambletonian paying less than $3 (Self Possessed in 1999 paid $2.80) and more than $50 (Amigo Hall paid $57 in 2003).

TWO-TIMERS

Caretakers doubling up in the Hambletonian: Charlie Coleman with Ayres (1964) and Timothy T (1970), and Randy Beekman with Mack Lobell (1987) and Park Avenue Joe (1989). An honorable mention to Shelly Grieco with Market Share (2012) who helped out with Marion Marauder just four years later.

I WASNT THERE

Three huge impact stallions in the Hambletonian did not participate in it themselves: Balanced Image (1981), Valley Victory (1989), and Walner (2017) . All three were aiming for the big dance and raced within a month of the Hambletonian.

MILLER TIME?

Is this the year David Miller breaks through in the Hambletonian? Is this the year, his final one racing regularly at The Meadowlands, that he achieves Hambletonian glory and sets the all-time money mark?

HAUL OF A GUY

In 2008, Ray Schnittker also finished third, in the Deweycheatumnhowe year, with Make It Happen (driven by Dan Dube). It was $930,000 combined for his stable. That total remains the high-water mark for any trainer in any trotting event.

WON AND DONE

Bonefish remains the only Hambletonian winner (1975), never to race again.

NO PRESSURE

Shiaway St Pat won the first Meadowlands Hambletonian in 1981. The only Grand Circuit stake he was eligible for. He returned to The Meadowlands April 6, 1988 at age 10 and actually led the post parade that year for the Hambletonian won by Armbro Goal.

TWENTY SOMETHING HAUGHTON FAMILY STYLE

Peter debuted at 22 finishing fifth with Quick Pay, Tommy at 23 was second with Final Score and dad Billy at 26, was 18th with Crossbow in 1949.

THE OLD 1-2

Only Bob McClure can say the following, “I was first [Forbidden Trade in 2019] and second [Highland Kismet in 2024] in my first two Hambletonian drives.”

GEHRIG, DIMAGGIO, TETRICK?

Yes, Tim Tetrick is now the streaking king with two streaks of 18-straight appearances concurrently in both the Hambletonian and the Meadowlands Pace finals. And he’s at 19 per cent overall seven-for-36 with six Pace finals added to his 2012 Market Share Hambletonian.

READY FOR CASH

Sire Ready Cash made quite a splash as a newcomer to this event with a second and third in 2020 with Ready For Moni and Back Of The Neck, respectively.

APTLY NAMED

Manchego or should we say Man-chego. Her 1:50 flat Hambletonian Oaks score in 2018 was a full second faster than any of the boys did in the Hambletonian that day. Mets Hall was second to Atlanta timed in 1:51 flat.

BAD SANDWICH

Scott Zeron won the 2016 and 2018 Hambletonians with Marion Marauder and Atlanta. In between? A squeeze play in the first turn as the 5-2 second choice losing all chance with International Moni.

YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST TIME

Three straight years saw a first-time driver in the classic win it: Trevor Ritchie with Yankee Paco (2000), Stefan Melander with Scarlet Knight (2001) and Eric Ledford with Chip Chip Hooray (2002).

BACK-TO-BACK

Pine Chip was Trotter of the Year back-to-back in 1993-94, and then sired Hambletonian winners Scarlet Knight and Chip Chip Hooray, back-to-back in 2001-02.

THREE DIMENSIONAL

Per Eriksson won the Hambletonian with Giant Victory (1991) and Alf Palema (1992). What has gotten kind of lost is that he also trained the 1993 winner, American Winner, as a 2-year-old, meaning in 1992 there were two Hambletonian winners in his barn at the same time!