by Jonathan Marsh, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondent

Columbus, OH — Placing bets might be a little harder as the field of 22 competing to race in the Hambletonian narrows even more this Saturday (August 1) in the trio of eliminations at The Meadowlands.

With all of the publicity and expectations surrounding horses like Muscle Hill, it can be easy to overlook the other personalities on the track that are just as thirsty to drink from the sweet chalice of victory.

Airzoom Lindy’s trainer, Frank Antonacci, Jr. is no stranger to being an underdog as he prepares for his $70,000 Hambletonian elimination in Race 9.

“I’m thrilled to be back for the second year in a row,” Antonacci said. “We’re in the same situation as last year.”

His 2008 Hambletonian starter, Crazed, placed second to Deweycheatumnhowe in the $1.5 million final. Crazed’s career record before the big race was nine starts, yielding a 4-0-1 summary, and Airzoom Lindy (owned by the Lindy Racing Stable and Robert Rudolph) has a comparable record before his elimination race with seven lifetime starts yielding a 3-0-1 summary. Shortly after the Hambletonian, Crazed would deliver “Dewey’s” first loss in a Canadian Trotting Classic elimination and later retired with $1,063,059 in career earnings.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

After finishing second in the 2008 Hambletonian with Crazed, trainer Frank Antonacci is back this year with Airzoom Lindy.

“Crazed was able to show everyone he could step up to the next level, and hopefully Airzoom Lindy will do the same,” he said.

Even with a similar record, that doesn’t mean Airzoom Lindy will accept second place. Antonacci described Crazed as quick, light, and athletic with an incredible change of speed. But when talking about the attributes of Airzoom Lindy, there was a more beastly image forming.

“He’s a powerhouse, he’s tremendous, and he’s royally bred,” Antonacci said. “He seems like he’s got a quick turn of foot.”

There was a slight moment of panic and discouragement when Airzoom Lindy (Cantab Hall-True Diva) developed an abscess over his left front pastern after his leg was caught in a stall door.

“We thought the Hambo was out of the realm of possibilities,” he said. “He’s had a couple of good months since then. I don’t think we’ve peaked yet.”

Not only has Airzoom Lindy’s health returned, but his new driver, Tim Tetrick, seems to be a solid match. Antonacci usually trains and drives, but he decided to let Tetrick grab the reins in the colt’s last race, and the result was his first win of the year. Tetrick also drove Crazed last year.

“I think Tim’s the best driver out there,” he said referring to his reasons for making the switch. “He’s a great driver and he works hard.”

Even with people maintaining Muscle Hill as a favorite, Antonacci sees a more level racetrack.

“I don’t think the next two weeks are going to be a walk in the park,” he said. “A lot of people are aiming for him (Muscle Hill).”

Big Bikkies and Hot Shot Blue Chip are potential threats, too, Antonacci said.

“They both have blinding speed,” he said. “Those are the wild card type of horses that make it interesting.”

The field for the Hambletonian eliminations are as follows:

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination – Race 7
PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley
2, Citation Lindy, Ray Schnittker, Ray Schnittker
3, Select Yankee, Brett Miller, Jonas Czernyson
4, Reinsman Hanover, Tim Tetrick, Trond Smedshammer
5, NF Quotable, David Miller, Sam Beegle
6, Truth In Action, Tim Tetrick, Blair Burgess
7, Hot Shot Blue Chip, Mike Lachance, Jonas Czernyson

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination – Race 8
PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Symphonic Hanover, David Miller, Jonas Czernyson
2, Judge Joe, D.R. Ackerman, Doug Ackerman
3, Mr Cantab, Andy Miller, Erv Miller
4, My Back Pages, George Brennan, Greg Peck
5, Calchips Brute, David Miller, Trond Smedshammer
6, Cesar A Blue Chip, Tim Tetrick, Noel Daley
7, Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gillis

$70,000 Hambletonian Elimination – Race 9
PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Triumphant Caviar, Luc Ouellette, Chris Beaver
2, Muscle Hill, Brian Sears, Greg Peck
3, The Chancellor, Andy Miller, Julie Miller
4, Tom Cango, John Campbell, Jim Campbell
5, Braggart, Tim Tetrick, Jim Arledge
6, Big Bikkies, Andrew McCarthy, Noel Daley
7, Airzoom Lindy, Tim Tetrick, Frank Antonacci
8, Wuthering Hanover, Dave Palone, Jonas Czernyson