from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Each week, Ken Warkentin ranks the top contenders for the $1.5 million Hambletonian on Saturday, August 2, at the Meadowlands.

Rank, Horse, Driver, Trainer, Owner, Ken Warkentin’s Comments
1, Snow White, John Campbell, Kevin Lare, North State Street Stable, Harness The Power, and Jerry Silva. Won her first qualifier of the season in 1:56.3 with a final quarter of :27.2. Qualifies again this week, then starts in the Coaching Club Oaks on June 27.

2, Deweycheatumnhowe, Ray Schnittker, Schnittker, Gewertz, Iannazzo, and Deweycheatumnhowe Stable. After winning his first qualifier in a handy 1:54 on June 4, was scheduled to qualify again this week, then make his first start in the Dickerson Cup on June 27.

3, Muscle Mass, Brian Sears, Erv Miller, Perretti and Black Horse Racing. Saw his seven-race undefeated string snapped when he broke in a perfect second over position in his 2008 debut in NJSS. He had a win and a second in two qualifiers.

4, Azur, Brian Sears, Walter Carroll, Verlin Yoder. $15,000 Harrisburg buy last fall won his second straight NJSS event in 1:54.3, again with Brian Sears in the bike. Headlines the NJSS Final on June 20.

5, Make It Happen, Ray Schnittker, Eat My Dust Stable, Daisy Acres, H. Taylor, and J. Adkins. After winning the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in 1:54.4, he broke when favored in a division of the NYSS at Monticello on June 11.

6, Blue York Yankee, Trond Smedshammer, Einari Kale Vidgren. Changed driving bits and rebounded from a break in his 2008 debut with a strong third in the NJSS.

7, Celebrity Secret, Tim Tetrick, Staffan Lind, Celebrity Farms and Celebrity Secret Stable. Reattached trotting hopples and romped in a lifetime best of 1:54.4, then won a division of the NJSS in a crushing first-over 1:54.3 with Tim Tetrick.

8, Napoleon, Stephane Bouchard, Noel Daley, Tucci, Korn, Thomases, and Guarniere. Son of Credit Winner won a division of the Currier & Ives at the Meadows in 1:55.4, then set a track record at Monticello of 1:57.1 in NYSS. Yonkers Trot eliminations next on June 21.

9, Holiday Credit, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter, Takter, Fielding, Falkbolagen Ab, and Order By Stable. Dexter Cup winner cruised in NYSS at Monticello on June 11 in 1:57.4 with Ron Pierce driving.

10, Clerk Magistrate, Trevor Ritchie, Per Henriksen, Asa Farm. Andover Hall colt won his elimination and final of the Goodtimes with miles of 1:54.1 and 1:54 with Trevor Ritchie driving.