Handicapping the entire Hambletonian Day card

by Brett Sturman

With a 16-race bonanza, let’s get right into the action with a full race-by-race rundown of all the action on the Hambletonian Day card (Aug. 8) at The Meadowlands.

RACE 1, $30,000 CONTINENTALVICTORY 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT

Getting it started at high noon on Saturday with a potential price and hunch play on the noticeable driver change to Todd McCarthy on the Marcus Melander-trained Nuance. Though unimpressive on the year-to-date, this 3-year-old switched to McCarthy in that recent qualifier to win in 1:52.2, and in the process beat a pair of older foes Tactical Moni and Delaney Hanover which appears meaningful, considering both of whom race later today in the Steele Memorial. Southwind Chaska took a lot of action in her Hambletonian Oaks elimination on the heels of that fast 1:50.1-timed mile two back to Nezuko Kamado S but came up short. Emma’s Mystery CCL shined on this day here as a 2-year-old last year when beating No. 4 in winning her NJSS final; another that gets relief when dropping from Oaks contenders.

RACE 2, $100,000 NJSS PLATINUM DIVISION FINAL 2-YEAR-OLD MALE TROT

Wrong Sounds Right wasn’t driven like a 12-1 outsider last week and didn’t race like one either upon winning nicely in a time of 1:53, including a last quarter of :26.4. He’s come along quickly since those June qualifiers and his July 10 debut; feels like any repeat of prior race against the same competition would be good enough; albeit at a much-reduced price. Presidente got the second-over cover of Wrong Sounds Right but couldn’t get to within a length at the end; looks for another dream trip from the rail once again. Lifetime Dreamer had that fast and game 1:52.4 win two back but then clearly wasn’t as strong in that race last week; which gelding do we get now in the daytime? Mats crushed in debut on July 10 and then didn’t race again until last week when he was bet down to 4-5 and could only manage third when racing from the back. Svanstedt trainees land the outside posts 4, 5 and 6.

RACE 3, $310,750 GRADE 2 CANE PACE 3-YEAR-OLD OPEN PACE

Only five horses will be contesting the Cane Pace and that includes a supplemental entry in Odds On Mr Mamba, coming off a narrow defeat in the Adios Pace two weeks ago to the Burke duo of Al Papi and Melillo; anxious to see what the North America Cup champ brings in his Meadowlands debut. Race favoritism will go through Brandon Blvd who after that game try in the North America Cup, went onto win the Meadowlands Pace final, which was sandwiched in between two separate 1:47.3 wins here at The Meadowlands. Gentleman’s Club did tune up for his Pace elimination with a 1:47.4 win in a conditioned race here at the end of June; maybe? Sweet Lovin Lou just seems like a step behind the very best ones right now.

RACE 4, $50,000 MUSCLE HILL 3-YEAR-OLD MALE TROT

Whereas the filly counterpart to this race in race 1 seems more open, this one goes through Nix Nacken. He had that 1:50 win five back and then has battled with the best 3-year-olds ever since, including a brutal first-over try last week against today’s Hambletonian favorite Big Ranger – seems like his race to win or lose. Inexpressable was given a chance in his elimination last week but faded, maybe is better coming off the pace. Ardonne hasn’t shown much this year but does make his third start for the new barn while dropping; chance to come to life? Kingmen is another that gets some relief.

RACE 5, $40,000 OPEN PACE

Best Chip came out blazing to kick things off on that July 11 card when he put up a 1:46.2 effort in the first race that night. He’ll be out in the daylight again on Saturday’s card and maybe that race was a sign of things to come. Fifth And Five and Neverstopdreamin N both came off similar cover trips in the same race last week where they did all they could to close willingly in :25.2. Go Go Grasshopper was a 1:49.2 winner when last seen here three back while dropping from the Graduate series. Captinhammerhead A invades from Pocono for Blackler off some fast lines.

RACE 6, $225,000 NJSS PLATINUM DIVISION FINAL 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT

What’s going to give in this race between unbeatens Nevis Peak and Wall Of Fame? Out of Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill who shined on this day 6 years ago, Nevis Peak capitalized off the perfect pocket trip last out when making it two-for-two to begin her career. But she’ll be faced with a daunting task against Wall Of Fame who has looked downright scary thus far. That 1:52 mile at second asking was pretty amazing, as was her rally last out in :26 when in the end the race was never in doubt. Dandelion Wine loomed last week in that recent NJSS Platinum division and for a moment looked like she might last before being overtaken late; will get that first win soon enough. Grandiflora lost the tactical edge last week as the 3-5 favorite but that prior win in 1:52.3 was eye-catching.

RACE 7, $60,000 VINCENNES PREFERRED TROT

Antognoni S enters the Vincennes at six-for-seven on the year, with the second-finish two back at Plainridge being the lone blemish. He’s been well-traveled of late but is no stranger to The Meadowlands and that includes a 1:51.1 win here earlier this year. Right to his outside is last year’s Hambletonian hero, Nordic Catcher S. Following an injury, Nordic Catcher S returned to the races successfully on July 13 at Pocono when winning at first asking over some nice high-level trotters in 1:51; would love to see him follow that up with another top effort. What a gear that Bourbonista S has caught; 1:48.4 winner here in the Six Pack goes from mares to the very best males and keeps Dunn in the process. Dunn was listed on Mr Mouton who gets Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. as the programmed drivers were finalized, and if anything, it helps offer a price. This one was raging three races back in that 42-1 upset that ended the streak of On To Norway; not out of the question at all.

RACE 8, $281,200 GRADE 1 JOHN CASHMAN MEMORIAL OPEN TROT

Great matchup as Super Chapter goes against open foes now and meets up with Lexus Kody for the first time in their careers. Super Chapter had those two ultra-game races in July when just missing twice to On To Norway, one of which came in that record time of 1:48.3. Lexus Kody won when last seen here on July 4 in 1:49.4 and then shockingly went off at odds of 7-2 at Plainridge when everyone (or someone) went all-in on Antognoni S at odds of 1-9. Despite his status, Lexus Kody has only been made the favorite one time all year and despite the 5-2 morning line, I could see Super Chapter going off as the post-time leader. Aetos Kronos S hasn’t been bad this year, but nonetheless remains zero-for-five now as a 10-year-old. Up Your Deo has been quietly good in his last two against Lexus Kody and can win; offers a price as an alternative to the top pair. French Wine makes his third start of the year and seeks to find that Breeders Crown magic.

RACE 9, $500,000 GRADE 1 WINNING KEY FARM HAMBLETONIAN OAKS FINAL 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT

Nezuko Kamado S just missed last week in her elimination but she’s been so good all year — and last year, for that matter — and rightfully will loom as the deserving Hambletonian Oaks favorite. She notched a lifetime best 1:50.1 two back when winning the Del Miller here and last week it took her just a little too long to find her best late stride in on the heels of No. 1; Zeron should have plenty of options from the post. Busy Miss Lissy S got the trip and the jump on No. 2 last week when popping the 2-hole nearing the top of the stretch; another that should be in a great stalking trip coming from the rail for Svanstedt. Elimination winner Setyoursightshigh was Dunn’s pick over fellow Melander-trained Lainey W but I wasn’t crazy about the elimination win. She lasted but there were a ton of others closing in, and that came despite getting away with a half mile of :58. That said, if Setyoursightshigh were to win, it could be a massive day for sire In Range. Almost 9-2 was a pretty nice price on Carve last week considering her try two back was against a top colt in Warrior, and prior to that was a 1:51.3 winner at Philly. She sprinted late up the rail to her elimination win last week and certainly has a chance.

RACE 10, $183,650 GRADE 2 DR. JOHN R. STEELE MEMORIAL MARES OPEN

Yo Tillie returned to winning ways last Saturday in the Miss Versatility where she just lasted by the slimmest of margins over Conversano who was a tough first-over customer in that race. Tactical Moni is bound — I think — to take a ton of action off her 15-1 morning line on the notable trainer change to Melander. After a 10-for-13 season last year, she’s raced just once at 4 and it came in June at Plainridge when she broke stride, but that recent qualifier for the new barn looked entirely different and lures Dunn; lots to like. Walspea had late inside trot in that race won last out by Yo Tillie, her 1:48.3 speed try from the Graduate final is still fresh in my mind. I liked the off-the-pace trip Bravo Angel S got last out but she just hasn’t been as strong of late. Warrawee Michelle is better than her race from last week; Dunn was listed to drive initially which I find interesting, despite him opting for the intriguing No. 2.

RACE 11, $1,000,000 GRADE 1 WINNING KEY FARM HAMBLETONIAN FINAL 3-YEAR-OLD OPEN

My column last week, which previewed all Hambletonian contenders was, in a handicapping rarity, quite prophetic. All of the same holds true with the addition of how game Endurance was from post 9 in a race where I can’t believe he lost that photo; the fact he was 6-1 that night shows he could be the value play to capture Hambletonian 101.

RACE 12, $138,650 GRADE 2 SAM MCKEE MEMORIAL DIVISION 1 OPEN PACE

The first of two consecutive McKee splits is stacked, and it centers on Ervin Hanover who would look enticing as the current third choice on the morning line at 4/1. He had that notorious zero-for-eight Meadowlands curse lifted back on July 4 when he won the Brower in a time of 1:46.3 but then returned to his baffling Meadowlands ways when no good a week later in the William Haughton at 1-5. He returns now off an open win at Mohawk; would have to think his best is good enough if it shows up. Fellow Hanover, “Ken,” is no stranger to “Ervin” from these past couple of years and was right there in his Haughton division two back in a game second to Lou Hill. Lou Hill followed up his Haughton win with a convincing down-the-road score at Scioto in the #SendItIn over Prince Hal Hanover but has to contend with the outside post 9 now. Captain Optimistic and Fallout are the two 4-year-olds in this group. Captain Optimistic went two different sub-1:47 miles during the Graduate races here in June but couldn’t quite handle these types in July; gets another crack.

RACE 13, $139,900 GRADE 2 SAM MCKEE MEMORIAL DIVISION 2 OPEN PACE

He’s one of the two 4-year-olds in here but Prince Hal Hanover catches the softer of the two McKee divisions and this is a field he can handle. He’s had a couple tough first-over trips over the past couple of months and that includes his uncovered try two back against Lou Hill at Scioto where he was game in that mile to be second; similar honest tries would make him difficult. I’d like to see some speed, if possible, from Captain Albano out of post 8. It’s been one thing or another with him as it typically has been for him at The Meadowlands but his chances would go up if he could be more prominent early; beaten fave against slightly better last out in the Haughton. Just when you think he’s out, here comes Bythemissal with the upset at 57-1 three weeks ago in his Haughton division. Yes, that race did set up for him with the :52.3 half mile where the closers were coming from everywhere, but the ultra-classy horse showed he can’t be forgotten. Swingtown continues to outrace his massive odds for the fourth straight week including last out where he was second to Bythemissal at odds of 40-1; rewarded now with the rail. Coaches Corner rates a shot from an inside post; hasn’t been far from the very best in recent tries.

RACE 14, $156,500 GRADE 2 LADY LIBERTY MARES OPEN PACE

This is a field we pretty much know like the back of our hands and the dynamic in this division hasn’t changed much throughout the season, where Twin B Joe Fresh and Miki And Minnie seems like a coin flip between the two Ryder trainees. Louies Girl N lands the rail just as she did here in the Dorothy Haughton three races ago in a race where she was respected at odds of 9-2 but needed a little bit late. In that same race, Unreasonable got the 2-hole trip to Twin B Joe Fresh, looked to be gapping it a little into the stretch but was coming back on late to just miss, just as was the case to that same rival next out at Plainridge. Waiting for signs of improvement from Rodeo Drive Deo.

RACE 15, $123,200 GRADE 3 SHADY DAISY 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACE

Supplemental entry Be Perfect BG has been just that throughout her 2- and 3-year-old career with exception to those two recent races won by Loua Dipa; both times of which Be Perfect BG raced her heart out. This seems like a spot to not only win but to do some damage to that current lifetime best mark of 1:48.4; special filly. Credit to Darlin’s Angel who continues to impress for the training and driving combination of Cano and Tritton. She enters the Shady Daisy off a new career mark taken last week, and that came right after her Jerry Silverman try when third to Loua Dipa and Be Perfect BG in a race she had solid pace at both ends of the mile. Sangria Summer is the other supplemental entry and gets a driver change to James MacDonald for trainer Luc Blais; they didn’t come here to take back from the outside post 8.

RACE 16, $22,500 N/W $15,000L5 PACE

Maybe see how the open pace in race 5 went to gauge Captain Crusader but his race last week against some of those foes was good. In that race, he came first-over from fourth, took the lead into the stretch while never fully clearing and was passed late by the 3-5 favorite and one other; switches to Tetrick. Downbythewater could be a threat despite post 10 as he was involved early in that same mile, as was Avanti who exits that same race although that horse goes from the rail to post 8. Apocalypsebluechip is the lone 3-year-old but was a 1:49.2 winner here three back when he came home in :25 flat; sub-1:50 winner at Pocono last out too. Handsome Stranger was actively used in that Yonkers mile two back; one of two Engblom trainees in this field along with No. 8.