Cranbury, NJ — The 100th edition of the prestigious Grade 1 Hambletonian will take place Saturday (Aug. 2) at the Meadowlands with a field of outstanding trotters and what is sure to be another thrilling race, plus a tremendous day filled with exciting events catering to all ages.
Muscle Hill, 2009 Hambletonian winner, Dan Patch Award winner and 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, will be in the Backyard for a special meet and greet with his fans, with a chance to win a “hoof-ograph” or a poster. The event features a pennant flag giveaway. Fans can snap a quick photo of the superstar, as well.
In addition, when the post parade for the Hambletonian is called to the track by announcer Ken Warkentin, the field for the 2025 race will be led by Hambletonian 2012 winner Market Share, who will return to the scene of his great triumph to escort the race onto the track.
Market Share, owned by Richard Gutnick with T L P Stable and Bill Augustine, was trained by Linda Toscano to his victory, and she became the first woman to win the Hambletonian in the history the race. She is thrilled to return with the two-time Dan Patch Award divisional champion.
“It’s fun!” she said. “I’m fortunate enough and privileged enough to serve on the board of directors of the Hambletonian Society, so when we were kicking around ideas for the 100th Hambletonian, Moira (Fanning, COO) said to me, ‘Any ideas on how we could get an old Hambletonian winner?’ And I said ‘Market Share could come! He’s babysitting out at Southwind Farms, and the last time I looked at him he looked great!’”
One phone call to Laura Young, manager at Southwind Farms, and the deal was sealed. Laura has been working with Market Share for years, and was instrumental in bringing him to the farm.
“I called Richard after the Standardbred Horse Show, and asked what he was doing with Market Share. I told him he should be here with the other champions,” said Young. “He can be a babysitter, and maybe some of his attributes will rub off on our yearlings. That has been his job, and he is pretty good at it!”
Young also jumped at the chance to suggest also bringing Muscle Hill along.
“He’s the most intelligent horse I have been around,” said Laura. “I have been with him for over 16 years. I have never come across another horse that is so alert and attentive to his surroundings. I believe he passes this onto his offspring and that is the main attribute that makes them stand out. We will be there.”
With the plans firmly in place, Toscano brought Market Share in to refresh his memory a little on getting back to his old job.
“I thought, let me kind of fluff him up a little bit, and remind him what it’s like to put a harness on,” she said. “It’s really rare to put a harness on one that you had for as long I did with him, because you don’t get a chance to race one for six years, then retire him, and then get a chance to put a harness back on him at 16 years old. The old horse is absolutely having the time of his life, and so are we. He’s really really enjoying it. And we are too.”
What will he be like once his hooves hit the famous Meadowlands racetrack?
“Well, he’s been to Gaitway, and based upon how he’s perked up on that racetrack, when other horses are around, I think he’s going to swell right up,” Toscano continued. “I think he’s going to be as proud as a peacock when he gets out there. I always called him ‘the Little Engine That Could,’ and that’s exactly how he acts, and I think when he gets out there, he’s going to have a ball. I think this horse just thrived on racing.”
Toscano will be sitting behind Market Share for the post parade as his regular driver, Tim Tetrick, picked up the steer on Gap Kronos S.
The Muscle Hill meet and greet is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and post time for the Hambletonian is approximately 4:47 p.m.
Toscano expressed her thanks to everyone for such a great job in planning what is expected to be a tremendous day of racing and fun.
“Kudos to the Hambletonian Society and the Meadowlands for making this year even more special because it is the 100th edition, and it is the Holy Grail of harness racing.”