Each week, Meadowlands track announcer Ken Warkentin ranks the Top 10 contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian on Saturday, August 8
.
1. Muscle Hill, Brian Sears, Greg Peck, Jerry Silva, T L P Stables, Southwind Farm, Muscle Hill Racing LLC.
Reigning NJSS champion is a perfect two-for-two this season and gets another break before he puts his 10-race winning streak on the line. Trainer Greg Peck said he will try to get him a race before the Stanley Dancer Memorial eliminations on July 10.
2. Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, Adam Victor and Son Stable.
Did not race last week after cruising in his 2009 debut in PASS at Pocono Downs, a lifetime best of 1:54.2, final quarter in :27.2. Takes on older horses on June 26 at Big M, Race 4, Post 7.
3. Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gillis, Federal Flex Stable, Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz.
Controlled a slow pace and sprinted home in :27.1 to win his elimination for the Goodtimes in 1:56, a sharp 2009 debut for Canada's champion from last year. Post 4 in the Goodtimes Final, Race 3 at Mohawk June 27.
4. Tom Cango, John Campbell, Jim Campbell, Arlene and Jules Siegel.
Rallied from far back to finish second as the heavy favourite against older horses, timed in 1:53.4, final quarter in :28.1 on June 19. Not in to go at press time.
5. My Back Pages, George Brennan, Greg Peck, Irving Bork, T L P Stable, Jerry Silva.
Did not race last week after finishing third from Post 9 to stablemate Muscle Hill in the NJSS Final. Returns against a strong group from Post 8 in Race 8 on June 26 at Big M.
6. Symphonic Hanover, Dave Miller, Jonas Czernyson, Symphonic Hanover Stable.
Took last week off. Two-for-two in 2009, his latest a 1:53.4 lifetime best at the Big M on June 12, final quarter in :27.1. Faces My Back Pages from Post 4 in Race 8 on June 26 at Big M.
7. Select Yankee, Dave Miller, Jonas Czernyson, Select Yankee Stable.
Stablemate to Symphonic Hanover romped to a nine-length win in a lifetime best of 1:54.4 over an off track from Post 10 on June 18, a much improved effort. Not in to go at press time.
8. Mr Cantab, Andy Miller, Erv Miller, Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ronald Michelon, Riverview Farms.
Made a break as the heavy favourite over an off track and finished fourth on June 18. Looks to rebound on June 25 with Post 5 in Race 3 at Big M.
9. Judge Joe, Doug Ackerman, Doug Ackerman Stables.
Now four-for-four in 2009 after winning his third straight NYSS event on June 19 at Yonkers Raceway, going wire-to-wire again from Post 7 in 2:01. Goes for five in a row on June 26 in NYSS at Yonkers, Race 9, Post 7.
10. Keystone Activator, Eric Ledford, Jim Raymer, Trillium Racing Stable, Tammie Raymer.
Rebounded off a miscue in his previous start with a gutsy, parked out second by a nose as the beaten favourite on June 22 at the Meadows in an elimination for the Currier & Ives.
(NJSEA)