from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Each week, Ken Warkentin ranks the top 10 contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian on August 8 at The Meadowlands.

Rank, horse, driver, trainer, owner, Ken Warkentin’s comments
1. Muscle Hill, Brian Sears, Greg Peck, Jerry Silva, T L P Stables, Southwind Farm, and Muscle Hill Racing LLC. Greg Peck’s Operation Hambletonian has taken flight with Muscle Hill‘s smashing debut in round two of the NJSS on June 4 at the Big M in a lifetime best of 1:53.1. “Physically, he’s grown up and filled out,” said driver Brian Sears. “I couldn’t ask for anything more, he pretty much went on his own.”

2. Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, Adam Victor and Son Stable. Cantab Hall colt won his latest qualifier on May 28 in 1:55.2 and Ron Pierce declared him perfect. Last year, Jimmy Takter said when he saw him win the Matron Final in a world record of 1:55 he was the best colt he’d ever seen on a five-eighths.

3. Tom Cango, David Miller, Jim Campbell, Arlene and Jules Siegel. Trainer Jim Campbell and owners Arlene and Jules Siegel have a primed player from the first crop of Tom Ridge. After winning two qualifiers in 1:56.2 and 1:55, John Campbell guided him to an easy 1:54.4 career best in his 2009 debut at the Big M on June 5.

4. Encore Encore, Dave Palone, Richie Gillock, Robert Key. Steady Broadway Hall colt served notice with a sparkling 2009 debut in a track record 1:53.3 at the Meadows on May 19 in the PASS. At two, he won a Peter Haughton Memorial elimination.

5. Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gilis, Federal Flex Stable, Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld, and Marvin Katz. Muscles Yankee colt won his first qualifier in 1:58 at Mohawk on May 29, then reeled off a 1:55 trial with a :27.2 final quarter on June 5 with Jody Jamieson in the bike. Canada’s top 2-year-old trotting colt is being pointed for the Goodtimes (eliminations on June 20).

6. My Back Pages, George Brennan, Greg Peck, Irving Bork, T L P Stable, and Jerry Silva. Stablemate to Muscle Hill is by Revenue S. Has reeled off two straight impressive wins, both from outside posts in NJSS, a lifetime best of 1:54, then 1:54.2. “He doesn’t make any mistakes and he’s well gaited,” said driver George Brennan.

7. Mr Cantab, Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ronald Michelon, and Riverview Farms. One of three Cantab Hall colts in the Top Ten. A $350,000 yearling half brother to Passionate Glide and Marita’s Victory. Two for three as a freshman, he won both of his Big M qualifiers in 1:56.2 and 1:55 for Andy and Erv Miller.

8. Judge Joe, Doug Ackerman, Doug Ackerman Stables. The Ackermans were second in 2006’s Hambletonian with Chocolatier, and they are back with another son of Credit Winner. Romped in his 2009 debut at Hazel Park in 1:57.2 on May 22, then won a NYSS event at Monticello on June 2 in 2:00.1.

9. Keystone Activator, George Brennan, Jim Raymer, Trillium Racing Stable and Tammie Raymer. The SJ’s Caviar colt has already won five of eight starts this season, broke in two other starts and lost by a nose to Encore Encore in a 1:53.3 track record at the Meadows.

10. Citation Lindy, Ray Schnittker, Citation Lindy Stables. Son of Cantab Hall for last year’s Hambletonian winning stable has won three of five in 2009, including a lifetime best of 1:54.4 in a PASS event at Harrah’s Chester on May 27.