Guardian Angel As will try to pick up another trophy for the mantel Saturday (Aug. 3) when he faces nine foes in the $280,000 John Cashman Memorial for older trotters at The Meadowlands. The five-year-old stallion has won five of seven races this year, including the Cleveland Trotting Classic with a world-record performance and, most recently, the Spirit of Massachusetts with a track-record effort.
The Cashman is part of a stakes-filled Hambletonian Day card at the Big M. Among the stars that will be in action: Shartin N in the Lady Liberty for older female pacers, Lather Up and McWicked in the Sam McKee Memorial for older male pacers, Bettors Wish and Captain Crunch in the Cane Pace for three-year-old pacers, and Hannelore Hanover in the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial for older female trotters.
Racing begins at noon. The highlight of the afternoon is the $1 million Hambletonian final for three-year-old trotters, which will be presented live on CBS Sports Network during a 90-minute show beginning at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). The $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks for three-year-old female trotters and the Cashman will be part of the broadcast.
Guardian Angel As has won 21 of 47 lifetime races and earned $829,680 for breeder-owner ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson. He is trained by Anette Lorentzon.
His 1:52 victory in the Cleveland Classic was the fastest trotting mile ever at Northfield Park and the fastest race mile ever by a male trotter on any half-mile track. He won the Spirit of Massachusetts in a track-record 1:51.3 for an older male trotter at Plainridge Park this past Sunday, missing the track’s all-time record by one-fifth of a second. His triumphs this season also include the Maxie Lee Memorial.
“The season has started out really well,” Lorentzon said. “The best race, the most impressive one, was at Northfield, no question about it. He’s been racing really well. He’s been staying sound and healthy, so that’s what I’m happy with. So far, it’s been working out pretty good.”
Guardian Angel As, with Tim Tetrick in the sulky, is the 3-1 morning-line favourite in the Cashman. Marion Marauder, who won last year’s Cashman, is the 7-2 second choice followed by Cutler Memorial winner Cruzado Dela Noche at 9-2.
The field also includes Hambletonian Maturity winner Crystal Fashion, 2018 Dan Patch Award winner for best three-year-old male trotter Six Pack, and Eurobond, who has won three consecutive conditioned races including a 1:50.1 score last week.
“We didn’t really race (Guardian Angel As) that much last year,” Lorentzon said. “We said we were going to take it easy and hopefully he could step up this year. I know how things can turn, it can be good one day and totally different the next. But so far, so good. Hopefully we can keep it that way.”
Important Links:
► Saturday Entries – Meadowlands Racetrack
► 2019 Hambletonian Day Program Pages
(USTA)