The 99th Hambletonian will take place this Saturday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The headliner will be part of a star-studded 16-race card with the first post coming at 12:00 EDT. Players on the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet platforms can take advantage of a Bet $150, Get $20 promotion on Saturday's card at The Big M.
Let's Meet the Contenders for the Hambo in post-position order, with morning line odds plus drivers and trainers.
Race 12-The 99th Hambletonian-Purse $1,000,000-Post time 4:45 PM (EDT)
1-Karl (6/5)-Yannick Gingras/Nancy Takter-Comes off a new lifetime mark of 150.3 in the Elimination and that victory followed its only loss this year. Trainer Nancy Takter seeks her second straight Hambo victory and would be the first conditioner to accomplish that feat since her father. The last time it happened was when Jimmy Takter won back-to-back in 2014-2015. Besides the father-daughter possibility driver Yannick Gingras has over 9,000 wins but has never won the Hambo. The outstanding pilot has finished second in this event three times. Karl is the favorite, deservedly so, and it could be a historic day in many ways.
2-Mars Hill (20-1)-Todd McCarthy/Tony Alagna-Raced with hopples for the first time in the Elimination and finished a beaten 5th behind T C I at 48-1. Driver Todd McCarthy won the Hambo in 2022 with Cool Papa Bell who went off at 52-1. This would be another shocking upset as the Muscle Hill colt might go off at even higher. Trainer Tony Alagna won the Hambo with Todd's brother Andrew between the pipes in 2020, with the exceptionally talented Ramona Hill.
3-Highland Kismet (5-1)-Bob McClure/Mark Etsell-This Canadian invader is no slouch having won 5 of 8 lifetime. Comes off a difficult journey in its Elim having to race wide. Still managed to finish 4th behind Karl and had the fastest last quarter (26.1) in the race. A very sluggish start cost the Father Patrick colt and if Bob McClure can work a smoother journey the Mark Etsell pupil could be in line for an upset. McClure won with Forbidden Trade in 2019. Trainer Etsell is an accomplished conditioner and will be involved in the Hambo for the first time.
4-T C I (5/2)-David Miller/Ron Burke-The Ron Burke talented trotter banked over $1.2 million as a freshman and has won 3 of 5 this year. Did have a breaking issue 3 back and followed that with a 3rd place finish. After some apparent equipment tweaking by Burke the son of Cantab Hall went gate to wire in its Elimination in a quick 150.4. There's a backstory with T C I. Burke and driver David Miller who are in the Hall of Fame but neither have won this prestigious event. This is a match-up many harness fans have been waiting for and it could be an epic battle down the stretch between the favorites.
5-Security Protected (20-1)-Tim Tetrick/Marcus Melander-The Father Patrick colt qualified for the Final with a 5th place finish going off at 41-1. Draws a bit better for the Hambo but no doubt will be another big price. The connections are Tim Tetrick, who is one of the best drivers of all-time, and trainer Marcus Melander a fine conditioner who hasn't captured a Hambo. Tetrick is looking for his 2nd Hambo victory after winning with Market Share in 2012.
6-Bella’s Musclehill (15-1)-Scott Zeron/Nifty Norman-The Nifty Norman pupil made the most of a nice trip and finished 2nd to Karl in last week's Elimination. That was the gelding's biggest accomplishment in its ten-race career and didn't compete as a 2-year-old. Gets a new set of hands in Scott Zeron as David Miller will stick with T C I. Conditioner Norman will be looking for his first Hambo win. While Zeron will be seeking his second victory in a row after taking a picture with Tactical Approach last year, who went off at 12-1.
7-Secret Agent Man (12-1)-Andy Miller/Julie Miller-The Team Miller trainee went off as the second chalk in the T C I Elimination and put in an even effort to finish 4th. But did have a rough trip and raced wide. That snapped a 2-race win streak and previously had some breaking issues. Needs a better trip and a clean mile to be a factor down the lane but this barn is no stranger to the Hambo.
8-Sig Sauer (4-1)-Andrew McCarthy/Noel Daley-This 3-year-old is more lightly raced and has made only 3 starts this year. The Noel Daly trainee did win the Stanley Dancer at 68-1 and finished a hard charging 3rd to Karl in the Elimination. Started from the same 8-post that night and finished with the best last quarter (26.1) of anyone in the race. Comes off an impressive mile despite a wide trip in only its 8th lifetime start and the fractions could be very spicy on Saturday. Driver Andrew McCarthy will be looking to win his 2nd Hambo as is the case for conditioner Daley.
9-Private Access (10-1)-James MacDonald/Luc Blais-This is another Canadian invader who has strong connections with top driver James MacDonald and trainer Luc Blaise who seeks his 2nd Hambo win. Finished a nice 2nd to
T C I and seems to be coming into the Hambo in sharp form despite having a sick scratch 2 back. JMac steered for the 1st time last week and the trainer likes the progress of this colt. But the post draw makes it a much more difficult challenge.
10-Amazing Catch (20-1)-Dexter Dunn/Ake Svanstedt-Dexter Dunn is one of the best drivers in the world, some would say the best and will be looking for his first Hambo win. Trainer Ake Svanstedt is a top conditioner. He won this event in 2017 with Perfect Spirit who came 2nd and was placed 1st through a disqualification, which was a Hambo first. Svanstedt also won with Captain Corey in 2021. This Walner colt raced evenly to come 3rd to T C I and figures to be another big longshot leaving from post 10.
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