Ken Warkentin's 2024 Road to the Hambletonian
Week NINE – Issued July 24, 2024
The 2024 Hambletonian is Saturday, August 3
Driver | Trainer
Yannick Gingras | Nancy Takter
Dan Patch Award winner, $1M freshman kicked off his 3YO season with a three-ply NJSS series sweep, despite 29 days off cruised to equal his lifetime mark of 1:51Dan Patch Award winner kicked off his 3YO season with a three-ply NJSS series sweep, despite 29 days off cruised to equal his mark of 1:51 in a Reynolds division, parked to the half from post eight & third (1:50.2) in a Dancer division, post six in first Hambo elimination in W.N. Reynolds, parked to the half from post eight & finished third (1:50.2) in a Dancer division
Driver | Trainer
David Miller | Ron Burke
O’Brien Award winner won his first two starts this season in PASS, romped in 1:53.1 over a “good” track in a Reynolds division, broke/recovered fourth in Zweig Memorial, close third (1:51.2) in a Dancer division, post one in second Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Andy McCarthy | Noel Daley
In just his second start of the season the NJSS & NJ Classic champion uncorked a 1:50 career best shocker @ 65-1 in a Dancer division, both McCarthy (Ramona Hill) & Daley (Broad Bahn) have won the Hambo, post eight in first Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Ake Svanstedt
Won divisions of NYSS & EBC, both in a career best 1:52.1 @ Vernon Downs, a gallant second in Yonkers Trot Final, took charge past the half & held on for a new mark of 1:51.1 in a Dancer division, post ten in first Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Bob McClure | Mark Etsell
Unraced at two, won five of six @ Mohawk, cruised to a Goodtimes stakes record equaling 1:51.3, made it four in a row in 1:53.4 (:27) in a Mohawk overnight on June 28, struggled sixth (1:51.4) in a Dancer division, post three in first Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Ake Svanstedt
Second to T C I in his 3YO debut, won a Big M overnight on June 21 in a career best 1:53.1, final quarter in :27, set the pace & third in Zweig Memorial, post ten in second Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Scott Zeron | Tony Alagna
Romped in NJSS division in 1:52.1, fourth in NJSS Final, took a new mark of 1:52.1 in Big M overnight on June 14, runner up to Karl in Reynolds division, rallied to win Big M qualifier, fourth in a Tompkins-Geers division, post eight in second Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Scott Zeron | Tron Smedshammer
Just one start as a 2YO, lone win this season a 1:54.1 upset in NJSS division, second (1:51.1) in Dancer division with a sharp :26.3, both Tetrick & Smedshammer have been to the mountaintop, post nine in first Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Andy Miller | Julie Miller
Late-blooming gelding followed up a firm 1:50 statement with a decisive 1:52 win in a Tompkins-Geers division, only his ninth career start, Team Orange Crush have a second & two thirds in Hambo Finals, post three in second Hambo elimination
Driver | Trainer
Travis Alexander| Scott Zeron
Turned some heads with back-to-back wins in 1:52.1 @ Pocono, then 1:51.1 in NYSS @ Vernon, broke second-placed third in EBC, rebounded to win the Zweig in 1:52.3 from post nine, fourth (1:50.3) in a Dancer division, post seven in second Hambo elimination