from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Each week, Meadowlands track announcer Ken Warkentin ranks the top 10 contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian, harness racing’s greatest prize, 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. The Muscles Yankee sensation followed up a lifetime best of 1:53.1 with his tenth win in a row to take the NJSS Final in 1:53.3. “This horse has great manners and it was a pretty easy trip,” said Sears, who posted a seven-win night.

2, Explosive Matter, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, Adam Victor and Son Stable. Served ample notice going wire-to-wire in a smashing 2009 debut in PASS at Pocono Downs, a lifetime best of 1:54.2, final quarter in :27.2.

3, Tom Cango, David Miller, Jim Campbell, Arlene and Jules Siegel. Did not race last week after kicking off his sophomore season with 1:54.4 lifetime best in his 2009 debut at the Big M on June 5. In to go on June 19 (post three, race nine). Stablemate Broadway Bistro won a PASS division at Pocono Downs in 1:54.3.

4, Federal Flex, Jody Jamieson, Jeff Gillis, Federal Flex Stable, Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld, and Marvin Katz. Canada’s leading freshman trotter in 2008 makes his first start of the season in the Goodtimes eliminations Saturday at Mohawk (post five, race two) off a 1:55 qualifier (:27.2 final quarter).

5, My Back Pages, George Brennan, Greg Peck, Irving Bork, T L P Stable, and Jerry Silva. Finished third from post nine to stablemate Muscle Hill in the NJSS Final.

6, Encore Encore, Dave Palone, Richie Gillock, Robert Key. Hasn’t resurfaced since his impressive 2009 debut in a track record of 1:53.3 at the Meadows back on May 19 in PASS.

7, Mr Cantab, Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ronald Michelon and Riverview Farms. The half brother to Hambletonian Oaks winner Passionate Glide won his 2009 debut in 1:55.2 on June 11 at the Big M. Drew post nine in another conditioned event (race three) on June 18.

8, Symphonic Hanover, David Miller, Jonas Czernyson, Symphonic Hanover Stable. Cantab Hall colt made it two-for-two in 2009 with a 1:53.4 lifetime best at the Big M on June 12, final quarter in :27.1.

9, Judge Joe, Doug R. Ackerman, Doug Ackerman, Doug Ackerman Stables. Made it three-for-three in 2009 by winning his second straight NYSS event at Buffalo Raceway on June 10, going wire-to-wire from post eight in 2:00.3. Drew post seven in NYSS division (race four) on June 19 at Yonkers.

10, Keystone Activator, George Brennan, Jim Raymer, Trillium Racing Stable and Tammie Raymer. Made a break in PASS at Pocono Downs, but has still won five of nine starts this year.