by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — John Campbell returned to action Thursday (July 28) for the first time since the end of May and is looking forward to driving Live Jazz, a colt he co-owns, in Saturday’s (July 30) eliminations for the $1.5 million Hambletonian at Meadowlands Racetrack.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

John Campbell returned to the sulky on Thursday.

Campbell was sidelined as the result of a racing accident May 30 at Harrah’s Chester. His injuries included a broken right shoulder and broken right knee. He got off crutches two weeks ago. On Thursday, he competed in six qualifiers at the Meadowlands, winning two and finishing second in another.

“It was just qualifiers, so it’s not that big a deal, but it was good to get back out there,” Campbell said. “I wanted to make sure I had at least a trial run or two before I race Saturday. I was very happy with the way it went. I felt good. I had no issues at all.”

Campbell, 56, is harness racing’s all-time leader in purse earnings, with $275 million, and has won a record six Hambletonian trophies. His most recent Hambletonian win came with Glidemaster in 2006.

The Hambletonian, for 3-year-old trotters, is the second jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. Two eliminations will be held Saturday at the Meadowlands, with the top five finishers from each division returning for the nationally televised final (NBC, 3-4 p.m. EDT) on August 6.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Live Jazz enters the Hambletonian elims with four lifetime wins and $144,485 in career earnings.

Campbell owns Live Jazz with trainer Chuck Sylvester, Melvin Hartman and Neal Goldman. Campbell and Sylvester teamed to win the Hambletonian with Mack Lobell in 1987 and Muscles Yankee in 1998. They were second last year with Lucky Chucky.

Live Jazz, a son of Andover Hall-Limitless Sky, has won four of 14 career races and earned $144,485. He will start from post nine in the second of the two Hambletonian eliminations.

“I’m looking forward to it, that’s for sure,” Campbell said. “It’s a tough spot. He’s drawn a bad post in a tough division, but I’m looking forward to it. Just to be in the Hambletonian with a horse you own yourself is something that doesn’t come along very often. I didn’t want to pass that up unless I absolutely had to.”

Campbell began entertaining thoughts of driving Live Jazz about a week ago.

“I’ve been off crutches for two weeks and it really accelerated what I could do,” Campbell said. “Every day I could do more. This week I decided to try it and see if I could race my own horse on Saturday. Once I get in the bike, it’s very natural. I have no issues or any qualms whatsoever.

“Everything is healed. My X-rays are very good and the doctor is very happy with the way everything is healed up.”

Campbell’s return will be a topic of conversation heading into the Hambletonian elims, but he does not want it to end there.

“It’s a heck of a lot better story if (Live Jazz) makes the final, that’s for sure,” he said.