The day before the Hambletonian eliminations, Explosive Matter found himself nearly sideways in his trailer on a return trip from swimming at a nearby farm

in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.

Trainer Noel Daley said the trailer was run off the road and got stuck in a ditch at a 45-degree angle. It took an hour to get Explosive Matter and another horse out of the trailer. Neither horse was injured.

"Everything was fine until lunchtime (Friday)," Daley said. "That made it a little more interesting than we wanted it to be. He handled it good, though. We're very lucky. Hopefully, this week isn't quite as interesting."

Explosive Matter, driven by Ron Pierce, won his elimination over Hot Shot Blue Chip in a career-best 1:52.3. He has won three of five races this year and earned $126,942.

Bred and owned by the Adam Victor & Son Stable, Explosive Matter was second to Muscle Hill in his Stanley Dancer Memorial division on July 17 despite going off stride while moving to the front from post seven at the start of the race and spotting the leaders 16 lengths. According to the chart, he trotted the final three-quarters of a mile in a scintillating 1:22.4.

"We changed his shoes and trained him here last week," Daley said. "I'm very relieved. He was very good (in his elim). He did it very easily and did nothing wrong."

(Harness Racing Communications)