Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

ROAD TO THE HAMBLETONIAN

July 25, 2008

Each week, Meadowlands analyst &track announcer Ken Warkentin ranks the contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian on August 2.

RANK, HORSE, DRIVER, TRAINER, OWNER, KEN WARKENTIN’S COMMENTS
1, DEWEYCHEATUMNHOWE, Ray Schnittker, Gewertz,
Iannazzo, Baldassare Deweycheatumnhowe Stable, His win in the Stanley Dancer Memorial might have been his easiest ever. He goes into the eliminations unbeaten in 13 starts and awaits his first serious challenge.

2, CLERK MAGISTRATE , Trevor Ritchie, Per Henriksen, Asa Farm, Acclimated and tightened with a game first over trip finishing third in the Dancer from post eight. It’s been 22 years (1986) since Per Henriksen won with Nuclear Kosmos.

3, CELEBRITY SECRET, Tim Tetrick, Staffan Lind, Celebrity Farms, Celebrity Secret Stable , The Dancer runner-up with a perfect two-hole trip after winning four in a row. Could give Tim Tetrick and Staffan Lind their first Hambletonian starter.

4, MUSCLE MASS, Brian Sears, Erv Miller, Perretti Racing, Plum Creek Farms, Had no chance trying to close off a slow :57 half over a deep track in the Dancer. Simply can’t discount this world champion and his connections. Drew post eight in a contentious elimination.

5, CRAZED, Tim Tetrick, Frank Antonacci, Lindy Racing St., Hoffman, Rudolph, Made it two in a row at the Big M with an eye-catching :27.1 sprint and a 1:52.4 mile on July 17. The Antonacci family has been a part of six Hambletonian champions.

6, NAPOLEON, Stephane Bouchard, Noel Daley, Tucci, Korn, Thomases, Guarniere, The Yonkers Trot winner and track record setter at Monticello goes into the eliminations fresh off a NYSS win on July 15 in 1:5
5.2 at Vernon Downs.

7, MAKE IT HAPPEN, Ray Schnittker, Eat My Dust St., Daisy Acres, Taylor, Adkins, Yonkers Trot runner-up and stablemate to “Dewey” easily won a NYSS division in 1:56.3 on July 15 at Vernon Downs.

8, BIG APPLE DELI, John Campbell, John Simpson, Jr., Lon Frocione , Romped in his division of NYSS in 1:55.2 on July 15 at Vernon Downs. John Simpson, Jr. won with his first drive in the Hambletonian with Timothy T in 1970.

9, DENNIS, Cat Manzi, Roland Mallar, Slowey, Minute, Osterholt, Lindy Lane gelding is five for nine this year despite chasing Pennsylvania standout Lear Jetta. All the way in a career best of 1:53.4 in his Big M debut and drew the rail against “Dewey”.

10, ACE HIGH HALL, Daniel Dube, Mark Ford, Martin Scharf, Yonkers Trot elimination winner didn’t get involved in the Dancer Final. This big colt prefers the mile rack and is still progressing.