Hambletonian forecast looks bright for Big Sky Storm
July 27, 2011,from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department
East Rutherford, NJ — What Big Sky Storm lacks in concentration, he makes up for in raw talent.
The Hambletonian hopeful, trained by Chris Marino, will compete for a spot in the $1.5 million final in one of two $70,000 eliminations on Saturday night (July 30) at Meadowlands Racetrack. Big Sky Storm will start from post three in the first of the two elims, race five, with David Miller at the lines.
“This horse has really high speed, but he’s a bit on the neurotic side,” Marino said. “But, he’s got a lot of talent. We’ve had a lot of issues with his bridle. We’re constantly making equipment changes on this horse. He sees things so he wears a flap over his nose with fringe that moves around to keep him from looking around. He doesn’t concentrate well. It keeps his attention and it’s seemed to have helped him quite a bit.”
Big Sky Storm enters the Hambletonian eliminations after being nipped in the final strides by VC Chocoholic in a New Jersey Sire Stakes division on July 22. The son of Classic Photo-Big Sky Angel won his first two career starts and has hit the board in six of 13 efforts overall. Domenico Costagliola of Point Pleasant, N.J., is the owner and breeder of the colt. In addition to his investments in the racing business, Costagliola owns Vesuvio Pizza in Point Pleasant Boro, N.J.
“He also owns the farm Big Sky Farm and he’s been in the horse business for about 30 years,” Marino noted. “I’ve raced Big Sky Storm’s grandmother, his mother, his sisters. I’ve had the whole family. Domenico has owned them all. He’s a great guy. Every year he pays something into either the Hambletonian or the Oaks. We’re feeling a little more confident this year.”
- Chapter Seven looks to pay off in Hambletonian (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)
Chapter Seven on Tuesday was one of 18 3-year-old trotters entered in the Hambletonian Stakes — harness racing’s top trotting prize — at Meadowlands Racetrack.
- Fields set for Hambletonian & Oaks eliminations (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)
Eighteen 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters are now in pursuit of harness racing’s greatest prize, the $1.5 million Hambletonian at Meadowlands Racetrack.
- This ‘Charlie’ could be a contender (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)
This could be the year for surprises in the $1.5 million Hambletonian. The connections of 18 colts entered the fray on Tuesday with only 10 guaranteed a spot in the final on August 6. Trainer Chris Ryder could be that “Why Not Me?” guy when he sends out the precocious Charlie De Vie in one of the classic’s two elimination heats.
- Improving Whit has Hambletonian in his sights (Thursday, July 28, 2011)
He was not endowed with the gifts his barnmates flaunted, but that did not deter Whit from forging his way to the top of his trainer’s list of 3-year-olds.
- Broad Bahn looking for quickest route to Victory Lane (Friday, July 29, 2011)
While his owner and family managed to travel the longest distance to reach the Hambletonian, trainer Noel Daley hopes his sophomore trotter Broad Bahn is prepared to take the shortest route to the winner’s circle in this year’s edition of trotting’s most prestigious prize.