by Sam McKee

LAST WEEK, EARLY LINE, HORSE, TRAINER, OWNER, SCOOP

3, 2-1, WINDSONG’S LEGACY, Trond Smeds-hammer, Ann Jeanette Brannvoll & Ted Gewertz, Won Dancer in 1:53. Off this week. “I told some people a month ago I had more faith in this horse than Power To Charm,” said Smedshammer. “He’s solid, durable, and tough. We won’t do much with him at all ’til the eliminations, just jog, lunge him in the sand pit, and train a little on the straight strip.”

2, 3-1, CASH HALL, Bob McIntosh, Bob McIntosh, CSX Stable, Michael Kohler, Broke coming to the gate in Dancer. “He got sideways, wasn’t paying attention and never got going,” said McIntosh. “He’ll school behind the gate at Showplace and John (Campbell) will school him after Q’s Saturday at Meadowlands. We both have some ideas and together we should be able to work it out. I’ll do some work on his stifles and am thinking about two head poles.”

Not Ranked, 4-1, PEACEFUL WAY [filly], Dave Tingley, Goin My Way Stable, Tingley, & Stiller, Crushed Del Miller field in 1:52.3. “It’s being considered,” Tingley said of facing the boys. “She was only about 80% last week. She wasn’t eating and her stomach was bothering her. She’s picked right up since we started treating her. She’ll be off this week, I’ll talk more with John (Campbell), and we’ll decide next Tuesday. It’s everyone’s dream to win the Hambletonian.”

1, 6-1, CANTAB HALL, Ron Gurfein, Brittany, Lindy Racing, Silva, Sampson Street, First defeat, 5th in Dancer. “I knew something wasn’t right by the way he was blowing between warm-up trips,” said Gurfein. “Physically he’s fine but the blood work results won’t come back until Tuesday. I’m not pushing the panic button. My guess is he had a touch of a virus or something.”

4, 8-1, TOM RIDGE, Jimmy Takter, Christina Takter, Ross, Heffering, Banjo Farms, Added blinker cups, 2nd in Dancer. Off ’til elims. “He has a quarter crack in his left front that he got before the Historic,” said Takter. “With two weeks off, I have time to patch it up. He went a strong mile and was very controllable, letting Cantab Hall go on the backstretch. Ronnie (Pierce) let him drift out in the stretch rather than fight him. He’ll be fine, and I’m very optimistic.”

8, 10-1, EILEAN DONON, Bob Stewart, Steve Stewart, Taylor & Taylor Estate, “I trained him in 2:15 Friday, and he went very well,” said Stewart. “I didn’t know what to expect after the scrotal hernia surgery and I’m pleasantly surprised. He only missed 3 days of track work, I’d say we’re 90% sure he’ll enter the Hambletonian. Cat Manzi will drive him Friday (in an overnight).”

7, 12-1, COVENTRY, Doug Ackerman, DR Ackerman & Ada Jean Ackerman, Seeks race this week at Big M. “I was impressed with Windsong’s Legacy but some of the others didn’t race well,” said Ackerman. “After the Dancer, more guys might take a shot.”

6, 20-1, SOLOMON BLUE CHIP, Trond Smeds-hammer, Einari Kalle Vidgren, 6th in Dancer. “I was disappointed,” said Smedshammer. “He trotted in 54.1 but couldn’t keep up to me on the turn. He’s not a horse I think can win the Hambletonian but can pick up a check.”

5, 20-1, SAND VIC, Jim Arledge, Bill Sanders, Broke in Dancer. Q’s Friday. “David (Miller) said he got to leaning in and just got tangled
up,” said Arledge. “We’ll do some vet work on his knees. We’re still planning on the Hambletonian.”

10, 20-1, GREAT CHALLENGER, Jim Campbell, Arlene & Jules Siegel, “We’ll make a decision after he races this week (at Meadowlands),” said Campbell. “We changed shoeing to lighten him up in front.”