Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Hambletonian Did You Knows
Provided by Bob "Hollywood" Heyden

July 29, 2007

1) Did You Know that-NOT ONCE-did John Campbell in the 1990s drive anything but a top three choice in the wagering in the Hambletonian final?

2) That the LAST TIME the richest race of all time was NOT held at the Meadowlands??? Was just 4 days after the track opened in 1976-September 4-Steve Lobell won the Hambletonian-$263,524??

3) That if Ron Pierce wins with Donato Hanover-it will end a 14 YEAR streak for him without winning one? 1993-American Winner-BUT-that would NOT be the longest streak in Hambletonian history between wins-16 years is the record. 1930 & 1946 Tom Berry-Hanover Bertha and Chestertown.

4) The TWICE a Hambletonian winner finished in the 'teens' in one of the heats-yet STILL won the final? 1953 Helicopter 17-1-1 (NOTE-Harry Harvey appeared in JUST this one Hambo-and WON IT!!) 1976 Steve Lobell 14 1-4-1 (NOTE-The LAST of the four-heat Hambos)

5) That 4 of the 7 Hambletonians in the NEW millennium have gone to FIRST time Hambletonian drivers? Trevor Ritchie 2000 Yankee Paco--Stefan Melander 2001 Scarlet Knight--Eric Ledford 2002 Chip Chip Hooray--Roger Hammer 2005 Vivid Photo

6) If Donato Hanover wins the 2007 Hambletonian, it'll mean that two young ladies by the name of Karin Olsson Burgess and Anne Christin Johnsson will have recorded the most unique of daily doubles. They will have been the caretaker of BOTH a Hambletonian AND a Meadowlands Pace winner!! The ONLY TWO to do so! Karin-Glidemaster-2006 Hambo Real Desire 2001 Pace AC-Donato Hanover 2007 Hambo Hot Lead 1996 Pace

7) If Donato Hanover wins the 2007 Hambletonian, it'll give Steve Elliott and Meadowlands Pace win and a Hambletonian win here in back to back years. The ONLY other trainer to do this was Chuck Sylvester in 1986-1987 with Laughs and Mack Lobell. Steve will be the first to do so FAVORED in both.

8) If Donato Hanover wins the 2007 Hambletonian, it'll mean that Steve Elliott will join William Haughton as the ONLY trainer to have a Hambletonian and a Meadowlands Pace FAVORITE in back to back years. Billy did it in 1977-Green Speed-and in 1978-with 9/5 favorite Falcon Almahurst. He won both-a win as the public choice for Donato Hanover enables Steve to join that legendary 1968 Hall Of Fame inductee.

9) Did You know that from 1959-1981-23 STRAIGHT years-the winning driver in the Hambletonian was a Hall Of Famer at the time or a Hall Of Famer to be?? NO OTHER race can boast of streak of this length.

10) When the gate springs open for the 2007 Hambletonian, it'll mark the first time in history that a harness race will have gone for $1 million for 25 CONSECUTIVE YEARS! The first was the 1983 edition-won by Duenna and Stanley Dancer-also happened to mark John Campbells' debut in the race. The ONLY final John missed was the 1997 Malabar Man year when none of the three he had in the elims made it to the final. (Breeders Cup began in 1984-this year marks 24 straight for that venture)

11) Finally, Did You Know that Donato Hanover has a bit of recent history to overcome to get to the winners circle in the 2007 Hambletonian?That's right-EACH of the last four ODDS-ON HAMBLETONIAN favorites went down to defeat:
2002-Andover Hall 70 cents last
2003-Power to Charm 50 cents 5th
2005-Classic Photo 50 cents 2nd 2006-Mr Pine Chip 90 cents last
(Plus-the last TWO Ron Pierce driven colts who went off as the favorites-also failed to get it done-Classic Photo in 2005 at 1-2, and Tom Ridge in 2004 at 2-1)