by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — Given the opportunity to voice his opinion on which horse is the best in the field for the $50,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes on Saturday (June 14) at Rockingham Park, Jonathan Roberts went with Load The Dice.

The morning line oddsmaker followed suit, installing the 6-year-old tough-as-nails gelding as the 5-2 early choice for the track’s signature race.

Roberts, Rockingham’s defending champion driver who sits atop the leaderboard again, faced a dilemma after he piloted both Load The Dice and Tarver Hanover to victory in each of the two $15,000 eliminations last Saturday. Not only did both of his horses win in impressive fashion, but they won in the identical time of 1:51.3 on Rockingham’s one-mile oval on a brutally hot afternoon.

When the deadline approached, Roberts sent notice he would try his luck with Load The Dice. The Ken Rucker-trainee will be going for his sixth win in seven tries and he was a fast-closing second in the one race he failed to find the winner’s circle. A lifetime earner of over $750,000 with 26 career wins, Load The Dice looks like the class of the seven-horse field.

But Tarver Hanover isn’t easy to dismiss. As the 7-2 early pick, he should get plenty of support at the windows when Sean Bier picks up the reigns. Tarver Hanover, with career earnings just shy of a half-million dollars, looked strong indeed as he drew off to win his elimination in upset fashion last week.

Post time is 1:05 p.m. and the field for the $50,000 NH Sweeps from the rail out with drivers and odds is: Osprey Ridge, David Ingraham, 10-1; Tarver Hanover, Sean Bier, 7-2; Load The Dice, Jonathan Roberts, 5-2; Allnightcardgame, Greg Bowden, 5-1; Coldheartedrevenge, Brewer Adams, 8-1; Armbro Damien, Ron Cushing, 9-2; and HH Blackjack, Todd O’Dea, 12-1.

Every paid admission 18 and older attending the races on NH Sweepstakes Day will receive a free instant ticket from the Granite State Lottery. Full card Thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound simulcasting plus charitable poker and bingo are also available at Rockingham.