Canadian Fielding loaded for run at Hambletonian
August 2, 2013,by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — In the world of harness racing, John Fielding is one of the more prominent owners and there aren’t many stakes events the Toronto resident hasn’t won.
New Image Media photo
Owner John Fielding has three starters in Saturday’s Hambletonian.
However, the Hambletonian is one race Fielding has yet to win, something he hopes to change this Saturday at the Meadowlands in the $1.21 million classic.
Fielding’s chances appear more likely than others with three entries for the 88th edition, including Corky, Dontyouforgetit and High Bridge, all conditioned by New Jersey-based Jimmy Takter.
“It’s such a great feeling just to be a part of the day,” Fielding said. “The atmosphere is something that every racing fan should experience. The venue is terrific and the best horses are displayed in one day.”
The closest Fielding came to winning the Hambletonian occurred last year when Guccio finished second by a neck to Market Share.
Fielding hopes his luck is soon to change.
“I’m probably most excited about Corky,” he said. “I think he’s got a very good chance to win. He’s had a great week and is coming into this weekend in great form. He’s a bit of a green horse and continues to learn and continues to get stronger with each start. I expect him to close out the year very well.”
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Jimmy Takter trainee Corky is the 2-1 favorite in his Hambletonian elimination on Saturday.
Corky, a son of Muscles Yankee-Clarice Marie, has banked $611,988 in his career with a 1:52.4 lifetime best. The $100,000 yearling purchase is fresh off a 1:54.3 victory at the Meadowlands this past Saturday.
Corky has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite for driver David Miller in the third elimination.
Dontyouforgetit was the favorite to win the $450,000 Yonkers Trot this past weekend, but the son of Cantab Hall-Solveig made a costly break in stride, which resulted in a fourth place finish.
“He got run into, which was disappointing, but we’re really looking forward to Saturday with him,” said Fielding. “His mother, Solveig ($820,791), is a mare that Jimmy and I also had. So maybe he’s got a special meaning. I think he’ll handle the heats very well if he’s fortunate enough to get through the first one. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s got a heart the side of a watermelon. He’s got the grit and determination.”
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Dontyouforgetit is the 7-2 third choice in his Hambletonian elimination.
Dontyouforgetit has an impressive resume this season with a 4-1-2 record from eight starts along with $231,732 in seasonal earnings. The brown trotter has been installed as the 7-2 third choice in the second elimination for driver Yannick Gingras.
His half-sister, Shake It Cerry, is one of the favorites to win the $321,700 Merrie Annabelle for 2-year-old trotting fillies, also on Saturday for Fielding and Takter.
Fielding’s final Hambletonian starter is High Bridge, who might be considered the lesser of the three entries. The talented son of Cantab Hall-Madame Volo has a 4-3-1 record from 11 starts this season and $102,730 in the bank.
“High Bridge continues to get better as well. At the end of his 2-year-old season, I mentioned to Jimmy that this might be one that we want to cull and he said not to give up on him yet and that he’ll be fine and Jimmy was right,” said Fielding. “He won the 3-year-old Open the other night at the Meadowlands, beating some good horses. He did it all on the front last week and I’m not sure that’s his strongest suit. He can be dangerous in there and I think he’ll handle the heats very well if he’s fortunate to get by the first one.”
USTA.Mark Hall photo
High Bridge has banked $102,730 this year and $169,648 lifetime.
Gingras will once again be at the helm in the first elimination.
Fielding and Takter’s relationship dates back many years and the pair have forged a prosperous partnership and friendship.
“Jimmy is the best trainer that I’ve ever been around. He’s got a terrific work ethic and that translates into results,” Fielding said. “His regiment at the farm is second to none and I’m very lucky to be partners with him and his wife, Christina, for such a long period of time. Both Jimmy and his wife, Christina, are terrific people inside and outside of racing.”
Fielding, who currently owns 40 horses, will send out five starters on Friday night, along with nine starters on Saturday at the East Rutherford, N.J., oval.
Three heats will take place with the top three finishers and one fourth-place finisher returning again that afternoon to contest the final. First race post for the Hambletonian begins at 11:50 a.m.
CBS Sports Network will air live coverage of the Hambletonian from 3:30-5 p.m. CBS Sports Network is a premium cable offering, not a “free” channel. Check with your provider to see if CBSSN is part of your package.
Below are the Hambletonian fields, in post position order, with listed drivers and trainers. Hambletonian Elimination 1-Race 7-2:24 p.m. Hambletonian Elimination 2-Race 8-2:51 p.m. Hambletonian Elimination 3-Race 9-3:18 p.m.
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Punxsutawney-Corey Callahan-John Butenschoen-12-1
2-Smilin Eli-Tim Tetrick-David Smith-5-2
3-Dewycolorintheline-Ray Schnittker-Schnittker-8-1
4-High Bridge-Yannick Gingras–Jimmy Takter-6-1
5-Super Classic-David Miller–Greg Peck-20-1
6-Dreams Of Thunder-George Brennan-Jonas Czernyson-20-1
7-E L Rocket-Jim Morrill, Jr.-Ron Burke-4-1
8-Royalty For Life-Brian Sears-George Ducharme-8-5
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Wheeling N Dealin-Sylvain Filion-Dustin Jones-2-1
2-Aperfectyankee-Jim Oscarsson-Oscarsson-5-2
3-Your So Vain-Andy Miller–Julie Miller-12-1
4-Jacks To Open-Jim Morrill, Jr.-Nick Surick-8-1
5-Celebrity Maserati-Tom Jackson-Susanne Strandqvist-15-1
6-Caveat Emptor-Ray Schnittker–Ray Schnittker-20-1
7-Dontyouforgetit-Yannick Gingras–Jimmy Takter-7-2
8-Creatine–Mike Lachance-Bob Stewart-6-1
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML
1-Possessed Fashion-John Campbell-Tom Fanning-4-1
2-Murmur Hanover-Randy Waples-Normand Bardier, Jr.-9-2
3-Banco Solo-Jim Morrill, Jr.-Ken Oscarsson-15-1
4-All Laid Out-Dave Palone–Noel Daley-6-1
5-Corky-David Miller–Jimmy Takter-2-1
6-Spider Blue Chip-Ron Pierce-Chuck Sylvester-5-2
7-Lauderdale-Corey Callahan-Jonas Czernyson-12-1
- Corky and High Bridge capture Hambo Preps (Saturday, July 27, 2013)
Corky (David Miller) had it all his way in the first of two $25,000 prep races for Hambletonian eligibles on Saturday night at Meadowlands Racetrack.
- Posts drawn for Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)
The $1.2 million Hambletonian, the second leg of trotting’s Triple Crown, drew a field of 23 for this Saturday (Aug. 3) at Meadowlands Racetrack.
- Mohawk Video: Dustin Jones on Hambo starter Wheeling N Dealin (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)
Wheeling N Dealin, who went undefeated last season in nine starts, will start in the $1.2 million Hambletonian on Saturday at Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.
- Graham to make long overdue return to Hambletonian with Punxsutawney (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)
Jerry Graham once drove in the Hambletonian Stakes, but he considers his return to the race as an owner on Saturday an even more special occasion.
- Hambletonian profile: Wheeling N Dealin (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)
Wheeling N Dealin, who went undefeated last season in nine starts on his way to a Dan Patch Award as the sport’s top freshman trotting colt, will start in the $1.21 million Hambletonian on Saturday at Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.
- Sylvester drives for five with Spider Blue Chip (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)
Chuck Sylvester says it takes some luck to win the Hambletonian. It also takes a well-prepared horse.
- Stewart seeks elusive Hambletonian crown with Creatine (Thursday, August 01, 2013)
Creatine is coming into this year’s edition of the trotting classic without the fanfare of his famous father and trainer Bob Stewart is hoping this colt will be able to accomplish what his sire could not.
- Pontones look for return to Hambletonian winner’s circle (Thursday, August 01, 2013)
It might be a longshot for Tom and Lou Pontone to visit the winner’s circle again in Saturday’s $1.21 million Hambletonian Stakes, but that is better than no shot.