A pair of $70,000 Hambletonian eliminations for three-year-old trotters were carded on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack with Broad Bahn and Manofmanymissions turning in winning efforts
.
After Chapter Seven lined up in the wrong starting spot prompting a recall, Broad Bahn and driver George Brennan led nearly every step of the way to win the first elimination in a career best 1:53. Broad Bahn is trained by Noel Daley for owner Fam Alber Horse Racing of East Windsor, New Jersey.
First to the lead was Broad Bahn in :27.3, trailed by Fawkes. Those two led the field to the :56.1 half and also the 1:24.2 three-quarters. Chapter Seven (Mike Lachance) got on the engine down the stretch and finished strong, three-quarters of a length behind Broad Bahn. Fawkes (Yannick Gingras) was third. Whit (Tim Tetrick) was fourth and Luckycharm Hanover (David Miller) was fifth and those two also qualified for the final.
"I was able to rate my mile pretty kind and give him his head at the top of the lane and he responded good," said Brennan.
When asked if he thought the colt had a chance to win the Hambletonian, Brennan replied, "I don't see why not, he's big and strong and gets himself where he has to be."
Driven by Andy Miller, Manofmanymissions responded to just the lightest touch in deep stretch to win the final elimination race on Saturday in 1:52.4. Manofmanymissions is owned by the Mystical Marker Farms of Dyer, Indiana, Manofmanymissions Stable of Lexington, Kentucky and Mario Biasuzzi of Ft. Pierce, Florida, and is trained by Erv Miller.
Bambino Hall (Dave Palone) was first to the lead in :27.4, with Whiskey Tax (Yannick Gingras) in behind him. Magnum Kosmos (George Brennan) was out to challenge at the three-eighths and took over the lead to the :56.1 half. He was still in that spot at the 1:24 three-quarters and Manofmanymissions, who'd followed him into the flow, was on the outside around the turn.
Those two led the way home and in deep stretch, Andy Miller brushed his colt with the whip and Manofmanymissions went on by Magnum Kosmos to win by a length. Pastor Stephen (Ron Pierce) was third and Opening Night (Brian Sears) and Whiskey Tax also gained spots in the final with their fourth and fifth place spots.
"I had to help him along a little bit," said Andy Miller, "but that's him. There was enough there when I asked him and he kept going. I was pretty sure I would get by that horse [Magnum Kosmos]; he felt like he had enough trot to go on. I've always known he had a lot of go. That [the Hambletonian] has always been in the back of my mind and now we're here."
"This horse, when he's on his A game, he's one of the fastest," said trainer Erv Miller. "Hopefully, next week will be his A game again. I'm sure we'll take the inside somewhere, maybe not way inside, I'll talk to Andy. He [the horse] doesn't train much, maybe once a week is the most work he gets."
A pair of $35,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations were also carded on Saturday at the Big M with driver Luc Ouellette guiding home both winners.
Crys Dream trotted past entrymate Hey Mister in deep stretch to win the first elimination in 1:54.4. Crys Dream is trained by Henrik Holsten for owners Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme Stable of Grand Valley, Ont., Deo Volente Farms of Flemington, New Jersey, the TLP Stable of Kearny, New Jersey, and Jerry Silva of Long Beach, New York.
Celebrity Katie (David Miller) was first to the lead at the :29 first quarter with Sashy (Mike Lachance) in behind her. Crys Dream was on the move at the three-eighths and Hey Mister (Brian Sears) was also up on the outside and made the lead by the :57.3 half.
Hey Mister and Celebrity Katie were one-two around the final turn when Crys Dream came up on the outside, but Hey Mister still held the lead at the three-quarters in 1:26.
When the field turned for home, Crys Dream and Ouellette pressed on to the lead and trotted alongside Hey Mister for several strides before pulling away to win by one and a half lengths.
Co-owner Mike Gullota was asked after the race if they'd considered possibly racing the 12-for-13 lifetime filly against the colts.
"We discussed it and 42 days off is just too much," said Gulotta of the filly, who last raced on June 18. "We'll deal with the boys in the future."
The five fillies, who will advance to the Oaks final from the first elimination are, in order of finish: Crys Dream, Sashay, Hey Mister, Martiniontherocks, and Wincinnatti.
Iron Lady, with Ouellette aboard, trotted into the lead from the middle of the track in deep stretch to win the second Hambletonian Oaks elimaination. Iron Lady is owned by Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme Stable and Jerry and Theresa Silva, and trained by Fredrik Persson.
Creme De Cocoa (D.R. Ackerman) was first to the lead on the outside at the :27.4 quarter before that one fell off the pace and Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) inherited the lead along the rail. Cedar Dove held the lead through the :56.1 half and to the three-quarters in 1:25.1.
At the top of the stretch, Iron Lady fanned wide down the center of the track to overtake the leader to win by two lengths in 1:53.3. Bold And Fresh (Michel Lachance) was second, Lady Rainbow (Rick Zeron) third, and Jezzy (Tim Tetrick), who was far back at the start, caught the field to be fourth. Seducedbychocolate (David Miller) was fifth and also advances to the final.
"I know this filly [Iron Lady] can trot alot," said Ouellette, "but having said that, she surprised me tonight. They went at it a little bit and made the race for me. I was able to move her late and turn her loose at the head of the stretch and she showed what she was made of."
When asked who he would drive in the final, Ouellette said, "I guess I will discuss with other people involved; we're not picking the 9 or 10 [posts], we're not picking that, don't worry."
Jezzy, who was unbeaten in eight previous starts this year, spotted the field about 15 lengths at the start.
"When we turned toward the gate, she wanted to pace," said Tetrick of Jezzy. "I had to get her trotting again. I don't know what happened, she just wanted to pace."
Elimination winners will be able to choose their starting post positions for the Hambletonian and Oaks at live draw to be held Tuesday, August 2 at the Meadowlands.
Earlier on the card, the Tetrick-driven and Mark Kesmodel-trained Krispy Apple rallied home in :26.3 from fourth score a 1:49.1 career-best victory in the Mistletoe Shalee Prep race. Myluvmylife (Brian Sears) finished a half-length behind in second with Casie Coleman trainees Idyllic (David Miller) and Pretty Katherine (Ron Pierce) finishing third and fourth. The Miss New Jersey winner and Fan Hanover runner-up is owned by Kesmodel and fellow New Jersey residents Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino.
Bettor Sweet and driver Brian Sears held off pocket-sitter Hypnotic Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson) to win this week's $32,000 Invitational Pace in 1:50.1. Won The West (David Miller) finished a length behind in third.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(With files from HRC)