by Chris Tully

Hammonton, NJ — Winning the Hambletonian is a dream that comes true for but a handful of Harness Horse owners. Some wait their entire lifetime to put a Hambo hopeful’s nose on the gate, only to be brushed back by bad racing luck or poor performance.

Chris Tully photo

Super Classic preparing for his 3-year-old season at Pinehurst.

Yet, for Bill Augustine, his dream became a reality last August when a horse deemed a Hambo hopeful, Market Share, took home the elusive champion’s trophy. It was only a few to days before the final that he had purchased an interest in the horse, which then added Augustine to the partnership with Richard Gutnick and TLP Stable.

As luck would have it, the trotter has remained in top form, and is currently the 4th-ranked Standardbred in the country. Fresh off a decisive 1:51.1 win in the $526,710 Maple Leaf Trot, Market Share scores from post 9 in the $318,350 John Cashman Jr. Memorial Free For All (formerly the Nat Ray).

Scheduled as race 10 on Hambo Day, this TVG-FFA Series event boasts one of the deepest fields of older trotters ever assembled, with collective earnings just shy of $14 million.

Augustine is hopeful, yet realistic about the race. “Market Share is the 6-5 favorite, and is at the top of his game. [Trainer] Linda [Toscano] has done a great job keeping this horse sound and healthy, and has managed his schedule perfectly. Linda says that Market Share is an ‘overachiever’ — but it is a tough bunch of trotters that are all capable of going fast miles. It will be a great race.”

It won’t take much to remind fans what a big day Market Share had last year, as his picture graces the cover of the official program. Augustine thinks we will see more of that horse’s class on Saturday. “He has a super-sized heart. He loves to overtake horses late in the race. When many horses become tired and want to give-up, Market Share digs in.”

Nonetheless, Bill Augustine is equally excited about being back in The Meadowlands’ signature trotting race, The Hambletonian. “There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the years, just getting to the Hambletonian. It is a proud moment to have your horse come out on the track for such a prestigious event. There is not a prouder moment in the sport of Harness Racing.”

In an effort to get into the Hambletonian this year, Augustine recently bought Super Classic, a royally-bred Muscles Yankee gelding, from a sister to Giant Hit, Program Speed and Cayster. Super Classic starts from post 5 with David Miller driving, in the first of three eliminations, programmed as race 7.

Showing some promise in his last start at The Meadowlands, Super Classic rallied from way back and got beat a head in 1:55.3, showing a last quarter in :28.1. The owner-operator of Winners Circle Blueberries is philosophical about his chances. “He is obviously a longshot and we are in the toughest of the three divisions” noted Augustine. “He has a big hill to climb.”