Many of the top contenders for the richest prize in trotting are hitting the track in their quest for Hambletonian glory
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Ken Warkentin has assessed his Top 10 contenders with the initial offering of the Road to the Hambletonian.
Road to the Hambletonian Top 10 - Week One
1-Manofmanymissions – Breeders Crown winner in a world record 1:53.2 won a qualifier at the Big M on May 26 in 1:53.3 for Andy & Erv Miller, beating Leader Of The Gang, and the same two make their seasonal debut in NJSS in Friday’s third race.
2-Pastor Stephen – Dan Patch Award winner won his 2011 debut in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at the Meadows in 1:55.2 on May 17, Dave Palone driving for Jimmy Takter – drew post five against older horses in Friday’s eighth race at Pocono Downs.
3-Blue Porsche – O’Brien Award winner won the Valley Victory in a Woodbine track record 1:54.1, cruised in a qualifier at Mohawk in 1:56.1 on May 19 with Trevor Ritchie driving for Blair Burgess, an interest was sold to Deo Volente Farms & TLP Stable last Fall.
4-Leader Of The Gang – NJSS champion finished second in both Big M qualifiers with Marcus Johansson for Jimmy Takter, lines up alongside Manofmanymissions in race three on Friday.
5-Luckycharm Hanover – Grand Circuit Stake winner at the Red Mile in 1:55.1, trainer Tom Haughton guided him through an easy qualifying win at The Meadows in 1:58.2 on May 25.
6-Neal – Credit Winner colt for Jim Campbell was third, placed second in the Peter Haughton Memorial, took a mark of 1:54.4 in a Bluegrass division at two, we haven’t seen him yet.
7-Chapter Seven – Won Matron Stakes elimination & the final in 1:55 & 1:55.2, plus a New Jersey Sires Stakes Final at Freehold for Linda Toscano, no qualifiers yet.
8-Broad Bahn – Won eliminations for the Breeders Crown & William Wellwood, second in a Big M qualifier (1:55.2) on May 12, second to Bambino Hall in PASS on Monday at Chester with a flat tire, Scratched from the Breeders Crown with a hind leg fracture that did not require surgery.
9-Big Rigs – Impressive Grand Circuit stakes & Breeders Crown elimination winner for Kelly O’Donnell, won both qualifiers with Tim Tetrick – 1:57.4 at Pocono and 1:59.1 (:26.4) at the Big M on May 19, went wire-to-wire in PASS at Chester on Monday in 1:55 with Ron Pierce.
10-Swan In A Million – Stablemate to Manofmanymissions, third in the Breeders Crown, won both qualifiers at Pocono with Matt Kakaley – 2:01 and 1:57, drew post two in race six at Pocono on Friday against older foes.