There was lots of drama in the first elimination heat of the Hambletonian, including a very tight photo finish picture that was required to identify the winner.
After careful inspection it was race favourite International Moni eking out the win over a dead game Bills Man in 1:52.3.
International Moni and driver Scott Zeron got away fifth in the early going while Giveitgasandgo and David Miller marched to the lead and hung up the opening quarter in :27.4. Long Tom and Tim Tetrick angled off the rail from third and shot to the top in a matter of strides. They cruised through middle splits of :56.1 and 1:24.2 before coming under heavy pressure from Bills Man and Corey Callahan at the head of the lane.
Bills Man got to the bridle of Long Tom in the lane, and just as he did Long Tom rolled into a break. Bills Man dug in when asked for all he had, but International Moni who tracked that foe from second over got up in the final stride to post the win. Bills Man took home the place award, with Victor Gio IT rounding out the top three finishers. Also advancing to the final of the Hambletonian are Guardian Angel AS and Giveitgasandgo.
Moni Maker Stable of Enfield, CT bred and owns the three-year-old son of Love You-Moni Maker, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Frank Antonacci. It’s a four-for-four start to the season for the colt, who is 5-for-16 in his career. He’s banked close to $390,000 to date.
Stay tuned with all the happenings on Hambletonian Day with updates posted in the 2017 Hambletonian Day News Centre.