Airzoom Lindy’s trainer, Frank Antonacci Jr. is no stranger to being an underdog as he prepares for his Hambletonian elimination set for Saturday, August 1 at the Meadowlands Racetrack

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“I’m thrilled to be back for the second year in a row,” Antonacci said. “We’re in the same situation as last year.”

His 2008 Hambletonian starter, Crazed, placed second to Deweycheatumnhowe in the $1.5 million final. Crazed’s career record before the big race was nine starts, yielding a 4-0-1 summary, and Airzoom Lindy (owned by the Lindy Racing Stable and Robert Rudolph) has a comparable record before his elimination race with seven lifetime starts yielding a 3-0-1 summary.

Shortly after the Hambletonian, Crazed delivered Dewey’s first loss in a Canadian Trotting Classic elimination and later retired with $1.06 million in career earnings.

“Crazed was able to show everyone he could step up to the next level, and hopefully Airzoom Lindy will do the same,” Antonacci said.

Even with a similar record, that doesn’t mean Airzoom Lindy will accept second place. Antonacci described Crazed as quick, light, and athletic with an incredible change of speed. But when talking about the attributes of Airzoom Lindy, there was a more beastly image forming.

“He’s a powerhouse, he’s tremendous, and he’s royally bred,” Antonacci said. “He seems like he’s got a quick turn of foot.”

There was a slight moment of panic and discouragement when Airzoom Lindy (Cantab Hall-True Diva) developed an abscess over his left front pastern after his leg was caught in a stall door.

“We thought the Hambo was out of the realm of possibilities,” he said. “He’s had a couple of good months since then. I don’t think we’ve peaked yet.”

Not only has Airzoom Lindy’s health returned, but his new driver, Tim Tetrick, seems to be a solid match. Antonacci usually trains and drives, but he decided to let Tetrick grab the reins in the colt’s last race, and the result was his first win of the year. Tetrick also drove Crazed last year.

“I think Tim’s the best driver out there,” Antonacci said. “He’s a great driver and he works hard.”

Even with people maintaining Muscle Hill as a favourite, Antonacci sees a more level racetrack.

“I don’t think the next two weeks are going to be a walk in the park,” he said. “A lot of people are aiming for him (Muscle Hill).”

Big Bikkies and Hot Shot Blue Chip are potential threats, too, Antonacci said.

“They both have blinding speed,” he said. “Those are the wild card type of horses that make it interesting.”

Here is a look at the elimination fields for the Hambletonian. The top three finishers from each elim, plus the fourth-place finisher with the most career earnings, will advance to the $1.5 million final on August 8. The final will be televised live on NBC, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination - Race 7
1. Explosive Matter, R. Pierce, N. Daley
2. Citation Lindy, R. Schnittker, R. Schnittker
3. Select Yankee, B. Miller, J. Czernyson
4. Reinsman Hanover, T. Tetrick, T. Smedshammer
5. NF Quotable, D. Miller, S. Beegle
6. Truth In Action, T. Tetrick, B. Burgess
7. Hot Shot Blue Chip, M. Lachance, J. Czernyson

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination - Race 8
1. Symphonic Hanover, D. Miller, J. Czernyson
2. Judge Joe, D.R. Ackerman, D. Ackerman
3. Mr Cantab, A. Miller, E. Miller
4. My Back Pages, G. Brennan, G. Peck
5. Calchips Brute, D. Miller, T. Smedshammer
6. Cesar A Blue Chip, T. Tetrick, N. Daley
7. Federal Flex, J. Jamieson, J. Gillis

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination - Race 9
1. Triumphant Caviar, L. Ouellette, C. Beaver
2. Muscle Hill, B. Sears, G. Peck
3. The Chancellor, A. Miller, J. Miller
4. Tom Cango, Jo. Campbell, Ji. Campbell
5. Braggart, T. Tetrick, J. Arledge Jr.
6. Big Bikkies, A. McCarthy, N. Daley
7. Airzoom Lindy, T. Tetrick, F. Antonacci
8. Wuthering Hanover, D. Palone, J. Czernyson.

For Saturday's harness racing entries, click here.

(Harness Racing Communications)