August Campaign Reaches Trail Stretch With ‘Dancer’ And ‘Miller’ Memorials

Less than a month out from the August classic, the most significant prep events on the Hambletonian Trail are set to go on the under-card of the Meadowlands Pace Saturday, July 15 at the Meadowlands when the glamour boys compete in two divisions of the $320,500 Stanley Dancer Memorial and the fillies go in two divisions of the $250,500 Del Miller Memorial.

The opening division of the Del Miller Memorial kicks off the stakes-laden program, featuring a field composed entirely of “Oaks” hopefuls headlined by division-leader Ariana G. Exiting a third-place effort against the boys in the Earl Beal, she has established herself as a likely heavy odds-on public choice.

If she can somehow continue her scheme of improvement enough to surpass the echelon created by Ariana G, Dream Baby Dream could possibly topple the giant. However, she is an obvious counter contender and is likely more of a security pick in the exotics, so for a more interesting price with potential, Magic Presto has a shot to be involved as she makes her seasonal debut stateside.

Glitzey Gal leads a field of mostly Oaks hopefuls in the second Miller division, with Checkmate Time being the lone ineligible filly. Off a swift win against conditioned stock, Glitzey Gal’s speed will likely entrance the betting public into placing her in their favoritism. Whether she’s worthy of it or not, our value in this race stems from her.

Evelyn has yet to receive a trip that properly demonstrates her ability. Better at chasing than leading, she faltered against similar competition two weeks ago at the Meadowlands. As long as she is placed in a stalking position, she should have a shot at a decent price.

Division one of the Dancer places Hambo winter-book favorite Walner to the far outside of six other hopefuls and Common Parlance, who is not eligible. Obviously, starting to his inside, Devious Man is the logical choice again, as he will likely be placed into a stalking spot, assuming Walner tries to commandeer the field. And he could be a great price depending on how much his odds are inflated by Walner’s favoritism.

Aside from Devious Man, Bill’s Man could add to some exotic fun. Another one with a talent to grind into the mix, he recovered well from a break in the Earl Beal final to finish seventh and should be better going over a bigger track.

Long Tom, who currently fronts the pack of trotters bound for the Hambletonian, draws perfectly to again beat his hopeful counterparts when he starts from post 4 in the second Dancer division. Meteoric is the only one ineligible in the field.

Of the hopefuls, however, Shake It Off Lindy could be a larger factor than his lines show. He displays an affinity for the bigger track and is exiting a strong closing effort at Pocono. While he has not yet demonstrated the form necessary to beat Long Tom, he may be capable judging from his racing style and the improvement he’s shown leading up to this race.

**********

The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.