"We were disappointed we didn't win the Hambletonian because he really raced well. His form from the Hambletonian on was tremendous. I would say right at that time he was at the peak of form for him that year.

"I thought he had a good chance to win. He got away fourth, there was some action on the front. I had to come first over but I wasn't that worried because I hadn't used him and when I asked him in the stretch he just trotted away."