by Jay Bergman for the 2011 Hambletonian
Cranbury, NJ — Author J.K. Rowling presented her first Harry Potter manuscript to 12 publishing houses and was rejected by all 12. Experts looked at the pages and didn’t see potential, let alone greatness.
Perhaps the same could be said for Fawkes, a surprise qualifier for Saturday’s $1.5 million Hambletonian. The colt, named for Professor Dumbledore’s mythical bird, hasn’t shown much on the program page over the last two years but perhaps now will get noticed on the sport’s biggest stage.
As a 70-1 shot in one of two $70,000 Hambletonian eliminations last Saturday night at the Meadowlands, it was hard to take Fawkes seriously. Prior to entry in the big dance the son of SJ’s Caviar had enjoyed just one victory in seven starts this season. Oh yes, it was a big win coming in the $125,000 Currier & Ives final at The Meadows. But, at the same time Fawkes was essentially reborn out of the ashes scoring at 48-1 in the June 6 contest.
Former owner, and world-class horse agent, Ole Bach seized the opportunity to sell Fawkes after the Currier & Ives. Though he wouldn’t release the sale price it was clear that Swemab Inc., a combination of trainer Jonas Czernyson and Swedish owner Mats Bergman, were looking for a Hambletonian-type horse. The dam of Fawkes is a half-sister to Pearsall Hanover, a colt who finished fourth in a Hambletonian elimination in 1999. Pearsall Hanover went on to become one of Sweden’s elite stallions in the last decade. He’s credited with siring the Elitlopp champion of 2006, Conny Nobell, and 2010 Nat Ray winner, Slave Dream.
Pedigree will only get you so far, but in early July the colt gave indication that he could write his own story on the racetrack. A solid third place finish in an overnight at the Meadowlands assured his place in last week’s trial.
Yannick Gingras was asked to drive the colt in his final Meadowlands prep on July 22 where the colt was doing fine until the late stages when he slipped offstride but held for fifth.
“I got after him a bit too much,” said Gingras of the race. “It really wasn’t his fault.”
Gingras had seen the colt display enough quickness and staying power to feel comfortable leaving the gate from post seven in his Hambletonian elim. Fortunately for the horse and his backers, Gingras didn’t look at the toteboard to see what the public thought of his chances.
Fawkes raced admirably, chasing eventual winner Broad Bahn around the track and keeping pace in the stretch while finishing third in the 1:53 mile. It was the first time the colt had traveled that speed in his life and the results were encouraging.
“He’s just getting into himself and dropping time each time we race,” said trainer Czernyson. “He was a slow starter last year and didn’t really figure out what racing was about.”
As a freshman Fawkes raced primarily on the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes circuit, earning $30,327 with two wins in nine starts.
Agent Bach, who manages one of the Hambo favorites in elimination winner Broad Bahn, is excited about his former horse.
“You know being in the Hambletonian is a very big thing in Sweden. This is a great race to be in and obviously would be even better to win.”
It’s been a big year for Harry Potter, with the final movie setting box office records upon its release last month. It’s pretty safe to say that should Fawkes find the wings to upset this Hambletonian field on Saturday it would be a story of mythical proportions.
Big guarantees highlight Hambletonian Day wagering
The big Pick-4 guarantee returns on Hambletonian Day!
A $150,000 Pick-4 will be offered on races 6-9 on the Saturday (August 6) card. The $150,000 guarantee on the Meadowlands Pace Night Pick-4 handled more than $200,000. A special Pacing Pick-4 will also be guaranteed at $50,000 later in the Hambletonian Day card.
The Pick-4 is a $1 base wager that features a low 15 percent takeout and high return rate. The average Pick-4 payout this meet is $2,335 for a $1 ticket.
The new Pick-5 wager is also becoming a popular option for Meadowlands players. A 50 cent wager on the first five races, the Pick-5 kicks off at 11:30 a.m. An additional Pick-5 wager on races 9-13 will carry a special $50,000 guarantee.
And for those that aren’t interested in multi-leg wagers, the main event of the day, the ninth race Hambletonian will have a $200,000 guaranteed trifecta pool.
- Millers have ‘Man’ on a Hambletonian mission (Wednesday, August 03, 2011)
Manofmanymissions has just one assignment now — win Saturday’s $1.5 million Hambletonian at Meadowlands Racetrack.
- Pastor Stephen racing for more than Hambletonian trophy (Thursday, August 04, 2011)
Pastor Stephen is racing for more than Hambletonian glory on Saturday at Meadowlands Racetrack. Pastor Stephen is racing for Africa.
- Durand looking for a ‘Tax’ problem (Thursday, August 04, 2011)
After having two strikes against him heading into this Saturday’s $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, trainer Tom Durand is hoping the tables will turn as he sends out Whiskey Tax in the richest race of the conditioner’s career.
- Chapter Seven looks to pay off in Hambletonian (Thursday, August 04, 2011)
Chapter Seven has overcome enough health issues in his career that trying to win the biggest harness racing event of the year will almost pale in comparison.
- Owner enjoying slapstick journey with Magnum Kosmos (Friday, August 05, 2011)
As a rule, Frank DeLiberti is a pretty even keeled guy. But Magnum Kosmos turned his owner into Cosmo Kramer, or Kosmos Kramer, as the case may be.