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
Was scheduled to qualify again on July 9, then enter the Stanley Dancer divisions on July 17. "He's like a thoroughbred, he can come in off a layoff and that's where we're very fortunate," said trainer Greg Peck. "He's an athlete."
2. Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gillis, Federal Flex Stable, Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz
Won the $333,200 Goodtimes Final at Mohawk in a career best 1:54.2, final quarter in :27.4 on June 27. Two-for-two this season. Not in to go at press time.
3. Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, Adam Victor and Son Stable
Rebounded from sickness with a rousing rally on July 3 in 1:55, completing a Noel Daley Dickerson Cup double. "He was good tonight," said Ron Pierce. "We just wanted to put a nice, easy mile into him and that's what we did."
4. Cesar A Blue Chip, Tim Tetrick, Noel Daley, Lindy Racing Stable, Adam Victor & Son Stable, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc.
Kicked home in :27.4 to capture his division of the Dickerson Cup in a career best 1:54.1 first time Lasix, his second straight win at the Big M. "He's got a nice little motor, high speed," said Tim Tetrick. "They have a few kinks they have to work out."
5. Tom Cango John Campbell, Jim Campbell, Arlene and Jules Siegel
Tried it on the lead, set an easy pace and faded to third behind Explosive Matter with a final quarter of :28.1 in the Dickerson Cup. Not in to go at press time.
6. Citation Lindy, Ray Schnittker, Citation Lindy Stable
A solid second to Explosive Matter from Post 8 in his Dickerson Cup division, final quarter in :27.3. Drew Post 2 in a $151,670 Zweig division (Race 8) at Tioga Downs on July 10.
7. The Chancellor, Andy Miller, Julie Miller, Andy Miller Stable, Arden Homestead Stable
NJSS runner-up returned from a three-week layoff as the beaten favourite, got roughed up first over through a quickening pace and made a late break in the Dickerson Cup. Stablemate to Lucky Jim has the talent to regroup for Team Miller.
8. Russell Hill, John Campbell, Jimmy Takter, Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz, Sam Goldband
His four-race winning streak was snapped by finishing a non-threatening third in a dead heat in his Dickerson Cup division, timed in 1:54.3. Has Post 4 facing Citation Lindy in a $151,670 division of the Zweig (Race 8) at Tioga Downs on July 10.
9. Mr Cantab, Andy Miller, Erv Miller, Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ronald Michelon, Riverview Farms
Did not race last week after winning in a lifetime best of 1:54.4 on June 25 at the Big M. Leaves from Post 2 against older horses in Race 2 at the Big M on July 10.
10. Truth In Action, Tim Tetrick, Blair Burgess, Brittany Farms, Karin Olsson Burgess, Robert Burge
Runner-up in the Goodtimes Final at 43-1 did not race last week. Resurfaces with Post 7 in a $151,670 division (Race 9) of the Zweig at Tioga Downs on July 10.
(NJSEA)