2005 Hambletonian at Meadowlands Harness Racetrack

9-5, KEN WARKENTIN, Jimmy Takter, C Takter, Fielding, Domi, Windsor Stb., Divisional champ at two. "He trained last Wednesday at the Meadowlands in 2:00 with a good last quarter," said Takter. "I will qualify him this Friday at the Meadowlands. He's coming along well, right on schedule."

3-1, SOUTHFORK, Brett Pelling, Marvin Katz & Al Libfeld, "Last year I thought he was the only one in the fall who could give Ken Warkentin a serious go of it," said Ron Pierce. "Then he hurt his shoulder. I expect big things from him."

4-1, SELF PROFESSED, Don Swick, Royal Wire Products Inc., Q'd twice, last in 1:57 on May 20 at Meadowlands. "He goes in the NJSS opening round on May 30," said Swick. "Our goal is to get four or five starts in him before the Hambletonian."

5-1, DIESEL DON, Chuck Sylvester, Chuck Sylvester, Neal Goldman, Having Fun Stb, The Valley Victory winner is "a couple of weeks away from qualifying," according to John Campbell. Won 5 of 8 at 2.

6-1, NEW YORK YANK, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stb, "He qualified easy here last week [finishing 4th, timed in 2:00 on May 20]," said Adam Victor. "We're looking to get him in a 3yo open." Won Peter Haughton at 2.

8-1, STRONG YANKEE, Trond Smedshammer, Strong Yankee Stable, "He trained at the Meadowlands on Friday in 2:01," said Smedshammer. "I plan to qualify him on Friday. He's not the handiest horse out there."

10-1, LINDY FIVE HUNDRED, Ray Schnittker, Jones for Pres Stb, EG Pachuta, KR Breeding, Won Dexter Cup on May 14. "He goes to the Meadows this weekend for the PA Sire Stakes," said Schnittker. "He's doing well but you never know how it goes from May until August."

10-1, MED VAC, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stb, Won 7 of 14 at 2. Q'd for second time on May 20, finished 2nd, timed in 1:59. "We're looking to get him into a 3yo open," said Victor.

12-1, MAGIC SWAN, Jeff Long, J Paul Long, Jeff Long, James Harris, "He will not go in the first leg of the NJSS," said Long. "He just didn't get comfortable last week in the qualifier [breaking stride]. I will start him in the NJSS, just not the first leg."

15-1, CLEARAWAY, Ray Schnittker, SW Demeter, Ray Schnittker, PJ Baldassare, 3rd in Dexter, first or second in 6 of 7 starts this year. "He's a big, good-looking horse," said Schnittker. "I've had some success with Yankee Glides. He'll go in the first round of the NJSS on Monday."

2005 Hambletonian Race is on Saturday, August 6.

The Road to the 2005 Hambletonian is compiled by Bob Heyden.

Technorati:
Harness racing, Meadowlands, Hambletonian, Standardbred, Horse Racing Picks, Horse Racing Tips, Harness Racing Result