Owner Seeks Hambo 'Daily Double'

Published: August 4, 2015 11:06 am EDT

He’s won both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks already. On Saturday, owner Herb Liverman has a shot at winning both again in the same afternoon.

The Montreal native is a co-owner of millionaire three-year-old male trotter Pinkman, favourite in the first elimination of the $1-million Hambletonian despite drawing post 10, and Wild Honey, morning-line favourite in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks for three-year-old fillies. She’ll start from post two.

Leading driver Yannick Gingras is down to drive both, although whether Gingras stays for the Hambo final likely will depend on how the fleet filly Mission Brief fares in the second elimination. He’s her regular driver as well.

“I’d rather not have the 10 but that’s the luck of the draw. I was happy with Wild Honey getting the 2 (in the Oaks), although I think the horse that was best died this morning,” Liverman said, alluding to the unfortunate passing Monday of Oaks elimination winner Spirit To Win.

Liverman, whose Hambletonian victory came with Muscles Yankee in 1998, said it was his biggest thrill in the sport. “It’s like the Kentucky Derby for trotters.”

His Oaks champion was Bee A Magician in 2013. Now a triple millionaire, she’ll also be in action at the Meadowlands on Saturday, racing in the Fresh Yankee Trot. In addition, Liverman will have two starters in the Jim Doherty Trot for two-year-old fillies: Im Outstanding and Miss Teszla, third and second in their respective eliminations last week.

“It’ll be a nerve-wracking day,” he said, “but I wouldn’t miss it.”

Following are the fields for the $1.2 million Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks with drivers, trainers and morning line odds:

Hambletonian Elimination 1 - Race 8 - Purse $100,000
HN-Post-Driver-Trainer-Line
1. Donatomite, Trond Smedshammer, Trond Smedshammer, 15-1
2. The Bank, Jimmy Takter, Jimmy Takter, 8-1
3. Workout Wonder, Daniel Dube, Ake Svanstedt, 12-1
4. Habitat, Brian Sears, Ron Burke, 6-1
5. Total Darkness, Tim Tetrick, Jonas Czernyson, 20-1
6. Fashion Creditor, David Miller, Tom Fanning, 20-1
7. Jacksons Minion, Tom Jackson, Tom Jackson, 30-1
8. Centurion ATM, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt, 9-2
9. Canepa Hanover, Jimmy Takter, Jimmy Takter, 3-1
10. Pinkman, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter, 8-5

Hambletonian Elimination 1 - Race 9 - Purse $100,000
HN-Post-Driver-Trainer-Line
1. Billy Flynn, Tim Tetrick, Staffan Lind, 15-1
2. Mission Brief, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 6-5
3. Cruzado Dela Noche, Örjan Kihlström, Nancy Johansson, 20-1
4. Aldebaran Eagle, Corey Callahan, Jonas Czernyson, 20-1
5. Wings Of Royalty, Tim Tetrick, George Ducharme, 12-1
6. French Laundry, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter, 4-1
7. Uncle Lasse, Jimmy Takter, Jimmy Takter, 5-2
8. Southwind Mozart, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt, 20-1
9. Muscle Diamond, Tim Tetrick, Brett Bittle, 8-1

$500,000 Hambletonian Oaks-Race 12
HN-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Line
1. Lock Down Lindy, Tim Tetrick, Tony Alagna, 3-1
2. Wild Honey, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter, 5-2
3. Bright Baby Blues, David Miller, Bob Stewart, 8-1
4. Lady Winona, Brian Sears, Julie Miller, 20-1
5. Rules Of The Road, Corey Callahan, Janice Connor, 8-1
6. Classical Annie, Aaron Merriman, Jim Arledge Jr., 30-1
7. Livininthefastlane, Andy Miller, Julie Miller, 7-2
8. Sarcy, Johnny Takter, Jimmy Takter, 10-1
9. Smokinmombo, Aaron Merriman, Chris Beaver, 12-1
10. Speak To Me, Scott Zeron, Jimmy Takter, 20-1

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)

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