by Sam McKee

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

1, 2-1, CANTAB HALL, Ron Gurfein, Brittany, Lindy Racing, Silva, Sampson Street, Won Historic in 1:54. Dancer elims next. “I’m glad that first start is over and that he didn’t have to go in 1:52 against Cash Hall,” said Gurfein. Regarding the colt tossing his head, Gurfein said “It doesn’t bother me so why should it bother you. He’s just playing around. I’ll make zero adjustments because he doesn’t need any adjustments.”

3, 5-2, CASH HALL, Bob McIntosh, Bob McIntosh, CSX Stable, Michael Kohler, Won Historic div in 1:52.4. Dancer elims next. “That was a big mile but he did it easily with plenty left,” said McIntosh. “His schedule has been tough. My strategy would’ve been different if he’d raced more at two. He needs seasoning and experience. He’s tentative [about] leaving after the one bad experience at Hazel Park but John (Campbell) said he’s getting better every start.”

4, 4-1, WINDSONG’S LEGACY, Trond Smeds-hammer, Ann Jeanette Brannvoll & Ted Gewertz, Week off, Dancer elims next. “”We’ve been training and conditioning nice and easy with him,” said Smedshammer. “He’s getting better with every start, and I couldn’t feel any better about the way things are so far.”

2, 5-1, TOM RIDGE, Jimmy Takter, Christina Takter, Ross, Heffering, Banjo Farms, 2nd in Historric. Dancer elims next. “He raced real good and was very ratable which is how we want to have him,” said Takter. “Our goal is to win the Hambletonian. I’m very happy with where he’s at and how he’s progressing.”

5, 6-1, EILEAN DONON, Bob Stewart, Steve Stewart, Taylor & Taylor Estate, Won Q at Big M in 1:55.1 on July 2. Dancer elims next. “He was very good and this sets him up well for next week,” said Stewart. “John (Campbell) said he was well within himself.”

Not Ranked, 10-1, SHOW ME THE MONET, Jim Campbell, Arlene & Jules Siegel, 2nd in Historic. Dancer elims next. “He went a really big trip,’ said Campbell. “George (Brennan) seemed to get along with him real well. We taped his knee up, and he didn’t touch it at all. It’s too bad he touched that knee in the NJSS final where he made a break.”

8, 12-1, AMERICAN MIKE, Charlie Norris, Robert J. Key, Week off. Dancer elims next. “We kind of freshened him up last week,” said Norris. “I trained him yesterday with the pull down blinds and was real happy. I’ll see who is available to drive, depending on how the draw shakes out.”

10, 15-1, COVENTRY, Doug Ackerman, DR Ackerman & Ada Jean Ackerman, 2nd in Ontario SS Gold Final on July 3. OSS next. “He raced okay, but we got beat,” said Ackerman. “He still needs to step up a notch. We might be able to get some money in the Hambletonian if he draws inside and can sit a trip.”

6, 15-1, GREAT CHALLENGER, Jim Campbell, Arlene & Jules Siegel, Broke near three-quarter pole in Historic. “David (Miller) said he just rolled off without any warning,” said Campbell. “We’ll try to get him right for the Dancer.”

Not Ranked, 20-1, Solomon Blue Chip, Trond Smeds-hammer, Einari Kalle Vidgren, 4th in Historic. “I haven’t been all that happy with how he’s come back but we started treating him aggressively for EPM,” said Smedshammer. “I told Brian to take it easy with him early; he said he was strong in the lane.” Dancer next.