By Sam McKee

LAST WEEK, EARLY LINE, HORSE, TRAINER, OWNER, SCOOP

1, 2-1, CANTAB HALL, Ron Gurfein, Brittany, Lindy Racing, Silva, Sampson Street, Won Big M Q on June 25 in 1:54.2. “He was excellent,” said Gurfein. “He still played around with his head, but Mike (Lachance) says he’ll be fine in a race with competition. He’ll make his first start in the Historic.”

2, 7-2, TOM RIDGE, Jimmy Takter, Christina Takter, Ross, Heffering, Banjo Farms, “I put an open bridle on him and schooled off the gate Wednesday,” said Takter. “He was real good, easy to drive and I was plenty happy. He trotted his last quarter in 27:2. He’ll go in the Historic.”

3, 4-1, CASH HALL, Bob McIntosh, Bob McIntosh, CSX Stable, Michael Kohler, “I’ll train him Monday morning then ship to New Jersey for the Historic,” said McIntosh. “John (Campbell) had nothing but good things to say about him after the Goodtimes Final.”

4, 5-1, WINDSONG’S LEGACY, Trond Smeds-hammer, Gewertz, Spinelli, American Viking, “The Dancer elims will be his next start,” said Smedshammer. “We gave him a couple of days off. He’s plenty fit, has a good foundation and is doing fine. Right now, he’s our best Hambletonian hopeful.”

5, 6-1, EILEAN DONON, Bob Stewart, Steve Stewart, Taylor & Taylor, “He’s doing fine,” said Stewart. “We did a little vet work on his feet, and we’ve been jogging him with pull down blinds.” Seeking a three-year-old open for his next start.

6, 8-1, GREAT CHALLENGER, Jim Campbell, Arlene & Jules Siegel, Had week off. Goes in Historic next. “He wore cheek rolls in his last qualifier,” said Campbell. “That seems to be a happy medium for him between a blind and open bridle. We’re very pleased with how he’s doing.”

8, 12-1, KNIGHTS TAIL, Markku Vartianen, Lindy Racing Stable, Won Rockingham overnight last Wednesday in 2:00.2 with a 28:3 last quarter. “He won kind of easy and felt good,” said Vartianen. “He’d been some fast halves so it was perfect to have an easy race. He’ll go in another overnight at Rockingham this Wednesday.”

7, 15-1, AMERICAN MIKE, Charlie Norris, Robert J. Key, 2nd in PASS at Pocono on June 25 to Durgin Hanover, beaten a length in 1:55.1. Expected to take week off then Dancer elims. “I put a blind bridle on him, and he was too aggressive,” said Norris. “He raced good, but I had to move him when things jammed up. I’ll try pull down blinds on him next time.”

10, 15-1, CINCINNATI KID, Anne Schlichtig, Fred Monteleone Stable, Won Big M Q in 1:57.2, last quarter in 28:1 on June 25. “He was very good, and Dave (Miller) said he’s ready to go,” said Schlichtig. “He was relaxed and has been maintaining his composure. We’re going in the Historic next.”

NOT RANKED, 20-1, COVENTRY, Doug Ackerman, DR Ackerman & Ada Jean Ackerman, Won Ontario Gold elim on June 25 in 1:56.2, gate to wire, fighting off In Conchnito under a hand drive. Final next week. “We’re going in the Hambletonian if he’s good enough,” said Hall of Famer Doug Ackerman. “We should know in the next three weeks.”