Trotter Train Travels Through Meadowlands, Tioga

Filly trotters compose most of the action on the Hambletonian Trail this week, going in two divisions of the $56,486 “Reynolds” at the Meadowlands on Saturday, July 9, as well as in three divisions of the $121,800 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Tioga Downs on Sunday, July 10. The Meadowlands will also host an open trot on Friday, July 8, which features 10 Hambletonian prospects.

The opening round of Reynolds has seven “Oaks” eligibles, with Hillosophical being the lone ineligible. Of the hopefuls, All The Time will take the majority of play off a win against conditioned trotters. While she appears to be a standout in this group, Dream Child has the opportunity to prove herself over the Meadowlands surface. Her experience in late-closing action will be underestimated and her break in the Tompkins-Geers will make the public dismiss her, even though she’s capable of going with this bunch.

Division two also has one ineligible, being Jazebel De Vie, and eight Oaks eligibles. Money will concentrate towards the New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Southwind Hope, as well as Jimmy Takter’s foreign trainee Unica Steed, who’s bound to improve off a sharp debut at the Meadowlands. If that duo receives most of the play, then Spicedbourbongirl should provide value. She has a talent for racing on the lead, and should improve in her first start over the Meadowlands surface.

The three splits of NYSS gather in total 11 Oaks hopefuls.

Group one gathers five hopefuls, being Fad Finance, Zette Starlet, Gin And Lindy, Non Stick and Earn Your Wings. Favoritism should go towards Non Stick, who won the Empire Breeders Classic but Fad Finance is of the same ability and will be a better price.

Only two eligible fillies race in the second division: Pampered Winner and Straight A Talker. The latter will likely be the shorter price, but they are equally capable of winning here.

Open Access headlines three other eligibles in the final division, them being Sweet Ashley T, Monarchs Sequel, and Goosebump Hanover. Sweet Ashley T should continue to improve into this race, and should continue to be an attractive price.

The Open Trot matches up Hambo prospects such as Goodtimes Trot winner Marion Marauder and Valley Victory-winner Dog Gone Lucky along with eight others. The public should provide major funds on them and perhaps on Hititoutofthepark as he enters off a three-race win streak.

Jack Vernon should be the value of the bunch. In a New Jersey Sires Stakes prelim he displayed power and grit while parking the mile and finishing second. His main issue was and still is managing his stride. Once he stays flat, like he did in the “Beal” Consolation last week, he can race with the best of the group.

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.

Ray Cotolo contributes to this blog