Along with fellow Hambletonian participant Southwind Chrome, another horse that is still learning is Classichap, who hails from the stable of 2004 Hambletonian winner Trond Smedshammer.
Classichap, a half-brother to 2012 Hambletonian champ and two-time Dan Patch Award honouree Market Share, was winless in four races in 2017, but finished second to Fourth Dimension in a division of the New York Sire Stakes at Saratoga. Three of Classichap’s starts were on the New York circuit.
“I knew he had a lot of talent,” said trainer Smedshammer, who also drives Classichap for owner Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables. “He wasn’t staked too much; I wasn’t planning on racing him on the Grand Circuit. I raced him a few times in New York and he showed me enough to back off and give him some time to mature.”
Trond Smedshammer and Classichap (Photo courtesy Mark Hall / USTA)
Classichap is 6-1 on the morning line for the second Hambletonian elimination. His most recent three races were at the Meadowlands Racetrack in preparation for the Hambo. He was third-placed-second in a conditioned race and then posted his first win with a gate-to-wire 1:51.1 triumph by a head over Tactical Landing in a conditioned race on July 6. His final start prior to the Hambletonian resulted in a second-place finish to Wolfgang in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 14.
“He was good the start before the Dancer and he was pretty good in the Dancer,” Smedshammer said. “I didn’t think he was as good in that race, but he’s getting some experience. I think the big track suits him better, the Meadowlands-style racing, than up in New York in his previous starts earlier in the year.
“He’s still green and learning, but he’s got a big engine. If he gets the right trip and things work out, he’s shown he can cut a mile in (1:) 51 on his own. Not every horse can do that. We’ll see where he fits in with those top horses.”
In addition to Classichap, Smedshammer trains Hambletonian Oaks contender Phaetosive. The filly won her Oaks elimination and is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line behind Manchego. Smedshammer trained 2008 Hambletonian Oaks winner Creamy Mimi.
The fields for the Hambletonian eliminations and the Hambletonian Oaks appear below.
Hambletonian Elimination 1
(PP-Driver –Trainer-Morning Line)
1-Shoshie Deo-George Brennan-Dewayne Minor-10/1
2-Evaluate-Orjan Kihlstrom-Marcus Melander-15/1
3-Mets Hall-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-10/1
4-Lawmaker-David Miller-Andrew Harris-8/1
5-Wolfgang-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-5/2
6-Crystal Fashion-Tim Tetrick-Jim Campbell-7/2
7-Atlanta-Scott Zeron-Rick Zeron-3/1
8-Hat Trick Habit-Andy Miller-Scott DiDomenico-12/1
9-Zephyr Kronos-Jimmy Takter-Jimmy Takter-10/1
Hambletonian Elimination 2
(PP-Driver –Trainer-Morning Line)
1-Fashionwoodchopper-David Miller-Jim Campbell-10/1
2-Patent Leather-David Miller-Jim Campbell-15/1
3-Classichap-Trond Smedshammer-Trond Smedshammer-6/1
4-Alarm Detector-Trevor Henry-Benoit Baillargeon-10/1
5-Fourth Dimension-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander-10/1
6-Southwind Chrome-Scott Zeron-Paula Wellwood-5/1
7-Tactical Landing-Jimmy Takter-Jimmy Takter-4/1
8-You Know You Do-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-8/1
9-Six Pack-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-2/1
Hambletonian Oaks Final
(PP-Driver –Trainer-Morning Line)
1-Plunge Blue Chip-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-4/1
2-What A Knockout-David Miller-Marcus Melander-20/1
3-Seviyorum-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1
4-Manchego-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-5/2
5-Phaetosive-Trond Smedshammer-Trond Smedshammer-3/1
6-Hey Blondie-Andy McCarthy-Chuck Sylvester-6/1
7-Live Laugh Love-David Miller-R. Nifty Norman-8/1
8-Lily Stride-Tim Tetrick-Mark Harder-10/1
9-Blonde Magic-Tom Durand-Tom Durand-20/1
10-Nixie Volo-Corey Callahan-John Butenschoen-20/1
(USTA)