by Chris Tully, for the 2011 Hambletonian

East Rutherford, NJ — When the starter says ‘Go’ for the world’s richest harness race for fillies, 10 gifted distaff trotters will be vying for the winner’s share of the $750,000 prize. The lucky lass that crosses the finish wire first on Saturday (August 6) at Meadowlands Racetrack will lay claim to the prestigious title of 2011 Hambletonian Oaks champion. NBC Sports will provide live television coverage for the event, with a special one-hour presentation that begins at 3 p.m. (EDT).

The 7-5 morning line favorite is Crys Dream. The Canadian-bred champion boasts lifetime earnings approaching $1 million. At two, she won the $502,000 Goldsmith Maid in a stakes record 1:54.3. She came into the Oaks eliminations sporting a 1:53.2 stakes record win in the $529,000 Elegantimage.

After a six-week hiatus, Crys Dream won her elimination handily in 1:54.4 with regular driver Luc Ouellette in the bike. Ouellette opted for post position two for the final.

“We did not have to use her too hard and I think that’s just better for next week,” the former Meadowlands driving champ said following the win. She is trained by Henrik Hollsten for owners Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme Stable, Deo Volente Farms, T L P Stable and Jerry Silva.

Ouellette also drove the second elimination winner, Iron Lady (1:53.3), whose connections got first choice in the draw and picked post position one. Although troubled by breaks in her last two stakes races, the Hudson Filly Trot and the Del Miller, she seems to have put things back together for the Oaks and has been installed at 5-1. Hall of Famer Mike Lachance gets the drive.

Ironically, both of the elimination winners were bred and are co-owned by Jean-Pierre DuBois and are both by the sire Taurus Dream. Jerry Silva is also a co-owner.

“I’ve never won the Oaks,” noted Silva after the elims, “so it will be exciting.”

In fact, the energetic and prominent horse owner holds an interest in four finalists in the 2011 Hambletonian Oaks: Crys Dream, Iron Lady, Jezzy and Hey Mister.

Hey Mister arrived at the eliminations boasting an impressive 1:54.4 win in the $257,000 Del Miller. Hey Mister is listed at 4-1 on the morning line from post seven. The Ross Croghan trainee has three wins in four starts and gets the services of Brian Sears in the sulky.

Jezzy, the undisputed “Trotting Queen of the New York Sire Stakes” has her work cut out for her from post 10 and has been tabbed at 6-1 on the morning line. Following an uncharacteristic pacey-gaited break behind the gate in her elimination, speculation soared.

Regardless, the multiple stakes winning filly’s Goshen-based trainer, Ray Schnittker, was undaunted and stated, “I don’t think we will have any problems next week.”

With over $661,000 on her card, it is clear that Jezzy can handle the big girls and gets the benefit of the country’s leading driver, Tim “The Bionic Man” Tetrick. The Credit Winner filly is 18 for 20 lifetime and looks to be tough to beat if she stays close to the front.

One filly that seems poised to break through and post a big mile is Lady Rainbow. Having been beaten just a nose by Jezzy in the Hudson Filly Trot, and a fast closing third to Crys Dream in the Elegantimage, one could make a case for her to be a culprit and not simply an accomplice this year. A daughter of Muscles Yankee, she won a pair of stakes races at The Red Mile last fall at two. Lady Rainbow scores from post four in the Oaks and is listed at 10-1 for trainer, driver and Ottawa native Rick Zeron.

Rounding out the field: Seducedbychocolate (post three, 20-1, David Miller) is trained by Jonas Czernyson who is the only trainer to have a finalist in both the $1.5 million Open and the Oaks; Bold And Fresh (post five, 12-1, George Brennan) is trained by Doug Miller and came into the Oaks with three consecutive Pennsylvania Sire Stakes wins at three different tracks; Sashay (post six, 15-1, Ron Pierce) is trained by Bob Stewart and shows three wins and three seconds in six seasonal starts; Wincinnatti (post eight, 15-1, Yannick Gingras) is trained by Brett Bittle and most recently scored in a New Jersey Sire Stakes at the Meadowlands in 1:53.2; and the 2010 2-year-old Breeders Crown champion Martiniontherocks (post nine, 15-1, Trevor Ritchie), is trained by Dustin Jones.

Meadowlands Video Preview: 2011 Hambletonian

Watch what the participants have to say about their chances in the $1.5 million Hambletonian and $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks on Saturday (August 6) at Meadowlands Racetrack by clicking on this link.