from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Each week, Meadowlands track announcer Ken Warkentin ranks the top 10 contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian.

Rank, Horse, Driver, Trainer, Owner, Ken Warkentin’s comments
1, Muscle Hill, Brian Sears, Greg Peck, Jerry Silva, T L P Stables, Southwind Farm, and Muscle Hill Racing LLC. Won a qualifier at the Big M on June 25 in 1:55.1 and was “poetry in motion” according to trainer Greg Peck. Qualifies again on July 9, “then he’ll go in the Stanley Dancer divisions on July 17.”

2, Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gillis, Federal Flex Stable, Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld, and Marvin Katz. Held on to win the $333,200 Goodtimes Final at Mohawk in a career best 1:54.2, final quarter in :27.4, on June 27. “It’s real difficult to be disappointed in a horse when you pick up $150,000, but he’s a better horse than that,” said Jody Jamieson.

3, Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, Adam Victor and Son Stable. Took on older horses on June 26 at Big M and faded to third as the beaten favorite. Looks to rebound from post two in the second division (race five) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.

4, Tom Cango, John Campbell, Jim Campbell, Arlene and Jules Siegel. Beaten favorite (second) on June 19 returns with post six in the second division (race five) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.

5, The Chancellor, Andy Miller, Julie Miller, Andy Miller Stable and Arden Homestead Stable. Yankee Glide colt and stablemate to Lucky Jim finished second in all three NJSS races. Returns almost three weeks later with post six in the first division (race two) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.

6, My Back Pages, George Brennan, Greg Peck, Irving Bork, T L P Stable, and Jerry Silva. Stablemate to Muscle Hill finished third in a qualifier on June 25, timed in 1:56.2 over a “good” track, and was a judges’ scratch on June 26. Has post three in the first division (race two) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.

7, Russell Hill, John Campbell, Jimmy Takter, Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz, and Sam Goldband. Son of Conway Hall has won five of seven starts this season, and his last four in a row, including the Empire Breeders Classic Final and three straight NYSS divisions. Drew the rail in the first division (race two) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.

8, Mr Cantab, Andy Miller, Erv Miller, Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ronald Michelon, and Riverview Farms. Rebounded off a break in his previous start with an emphatic front-end score in a lifetime best 1:54.4 on June 25 at Big M.

9, Truth In Action, Tim Tetrick, Blair Burgess, Brittany Farms, Karin Olsson-Burgess, Robert Burgess, and Truth In Action Partners. Cantab Hall colt was an eye-catching runner-up from post ten in the Goodtimes Final at 43-1. Blair Burgess won in 2003 with Amigo Hall ($57).

10, Symphonic Hanover, David Miller, Jonas Czernyson, Symphonic Hanover Stable. Conservatively handled and finished a disappointing second as the beaten favorite, timed in 1:54.4 over a track rated “good” on June 26. Landed post five in the second division (race five) of the Dickerson Cup on July 3.