Driver Daniel Dubé's more than 8,000 wins do not include a Hambletonian or Hambletonian Oaks, but he's been close.
In 2008, the Quebec native finished third in the Hambletonian final after picking up the drive with 46-1 shot Make It Happen for trainer Ray Schnittker, who also had (and drove) the winner, Deweycheatunmnhowe.
And in 2001, he almost pulled off an epic upset in the Oaks with 11-1 shot Ariane Du Haras, falling a neck short as he tried squeezing through a narrow opening inside 1-5 favourite Syrinx Hanover and driver John Campbell.
"We'd have won but there wasn't enough room," he said
Dubé, 48, will have two more shots at the trotting classics Saturday, driving Jake in a Hambletonian elimination and Dream Together in the Oaks for trainer Luc Blais and Montreal's Determination Stable. The Yonkers-based horseman has driven both horses at the Meadowlands in recent weeks for Blais, a longtime friend.
"I'm happy. I've got good horses to drive, in good form," Dubé said.
Jake, 8-1 on the morning line, drew the outside Post 9 in his Hambo elimination, "but he leaves well so he can get position."
Post 2 is "perfect" for Dream Together, who's been closing strongly and is ranked fourth by the Oaks oddsmaker, but favourite Ariana G "won her elimination easily" and will be a handful, Dubé said.
"In those races," he added, "you always need a bit of luck."
Hambletonian Elimination (Race 8)
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Line
1 – Southwind Woody – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 12-1
2 – Bills Man – Corey Callahan – John Butenschoen – 5-1
3 – Guardian Angel As – Jason Bartlett – Anette Lorentzon – 10-1
4 – Giveitgasandgo – David Miller – John Butenschoen – 8-1
5 – International Moni – Scott Zeron – Frank Antonacci – 5-2
6 – Stealth Hanover – Francisco Del Cid – Francisco Del Cid – 30-1
7 – Victor Gio IT – Yannick Gingras – Jimmy Takter – 6-1
8 – Long Tom – Tim Tetrick – Marcus Melander – 3-1
9 – Jake – Daniel Dubé – Luc Blais – 8-1
Hambletonian Elimination (Race 9)
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Line
1 – What The Hill – David Miller – Ron Burke – 3-1
2 – Seven And Seven – Mark MacDonald – Tom Durand – 8-1
3 – Sortie – Andy McCarthy – Noel Daley – 10-1
4 – Shake It Off Lindy – Brett Miller – Frank Antonacci – 20-1
5 – Dover Dan – Brian Sears – John Butenschoen – 8-1
6 – Enterprise – Tim Tetrick – Marcus Melander – 9-2
7 – Southwind Cobra – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 15-1
8 – Achille Duharas – Yannick Gingras – Jimmy Takter – 20-1
9 – Devious Man – Andy Miller – Julie Miller – 5-2
10 – Perfect Spirit – Åke Svanstedt – Åke Svanstedt – 12-1
$500,00 Hambletonian Oaks (Race 12)
PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Line
1 - Southwind Avanti - Jason Bartlett - Annette Lorentzon - 10-1
2 - Dream Together - Daniel Dubé - Luc Blais - 8-1
3 - Caviart Wonder - Andrew McCarthy - Noel Daley - 20-1
4 - Ariana G - Yannick Gingras - Jimmy Takter - 6-5
5 - Magic Presto - Brian Sears - R. Nifty Norman - 5-1
6 - Fine Tuned Lady - Corey Callahan - John Butenschoen - 10-1
7 - Feed Your Head - Tim Tetrick - Jimmy Takter - 6-1
8 - Sunshine Delight - Brett Miller - Staffan Lind - 20-1
9 - Overdraft Volo - Andy Miller - Julie Miller - 10-1
10 - Dream Baby Dream - Rod Allen - Rod Allen - 15-1
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)