The tradition continues on Hambletonian Eve. For the fourth consecutive year, renowned equine artist Ann Lufkin has done a portrait of the past year’s Hambletonian champion to present to the connections on the eve of the 2018 Hambletonian.
Meadowlands Racetrack CEO Jason Settlemoir and Hambletonian Society president John Campbell will present the portrait of Perfect Spirit to owner Lennart Agren of SRF Stable and driver-trainer Ake Svanstedt on Friday, Aug. 3 at The Meadowlands.
In a memorable and chaotic finish, Perfect Spirit was the winner by disqualification, after What The Hill squeezed off the pylons in deep stretch to hit the finish line first. Judges declared there was contact between What The Hill and Guardian Angel AS, marking the first time in Hambletonian history that a horse had his number taken down in 92 editions of the $1 million trotting classic for three-year-olds. Perfect Spirit was the winner of the 2017 Hambletonian.
The portrait will be presented prior to the races on Friday, Aug., 3, in Trotters, during the owners and Hambletonian Society Directors cocktail party at 6:30 pm.
The stakes-filled Hambletonian Day card begins at 12 noon. The Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks will be featured on a live 90-minute broadcast on CBS Sports Network from 4-5:30 p.m. (EDT).
(Meadowlands)