Trotters Approach Pivotal ‘Trail’ Point

The Meadowlands Racetrack will host the major Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks prep races on Saturday, July 16 with the $306,500 Stanley Dancer Memorial and the $193,000 Delvin Miller Memorial, both of which go in two divisions.

The first split of the Delvin Miller Memorial starts the Saturday card, drawing five “Oaks” hopefuls in a six-horse contest. Miss Tezsla should be the value of the two Jimmy Takter trainees, since the public should forgive Unica Steed’s break in the “Reynolds” as well as concentrate their money towards Womans Will off a win in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes.

Broadway Donna and All The Time match up in the second division, comprised of six Oaks-bound fillies. The obvious third choice to the likely favored duo is Celebrity Eventsy, who enters off a win in the Tompkins-Geers and raced a majority of her season in Canada. In sharp form, an improved effort from her could result in a decent payoff.

Southwind Frank highlights the first Stanley Dancer division, facing off against 10 other Hambletonian eligibles. With the added distance (1 1/8 miles) and a horse in the second tier, the possibility of a chaotic outcome increases. Chaos could allow trotters such as Hollywood Highway and Sutton to be more involved in the mile, since both should be positioned well. Both should be good enough prices to take that gamble, whether it is on the win end or in the exotic end.

Stanley Dancer round two gathers Bar Hopping and Marion Marauder against nine other hopefuls. Bar Hopping should be the public choice, which would make Marion Marauder a valuable play. But after his swift closing effort last week, Marion Marauder could go off the favorite. Either way, also watch out for Lagerfeld, who, presuming his gait issues are behind him, could sit a pocket trip and sling to victory.

Aside from the headlining acts on Saturday, Yonkers will host two divisions of the $163,374 New York Sires Stakes on Thursday, July 14. The only eligibles going are in the second division: The Royal Harry and Reve Royale. However, in the first division, A Jersey Contract should provide value, and Thats A Bad Boy as well in the second division.

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