Week 5 - The 101st Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 8
No changes to Ken Warkentin’s Week 5 Road to the Winning Key Farm Hambletonian but there is plenty of racing action this weekend. No. 1 Apex & No. 4 Diabolic Hill make 3YO debuts in the NJSS, No. 3 Endurance heads to Pocono and No. 5 Big Ranger moves to a new barn.
Driver | Trainer
Dexter Dunn | Marcus Melander
Dan Patch Award winner, money leader ($871,798), won NJSS & NJ Classic Finals, Peter Haughton Memorial & Mohawk Million in 1:51.4, rallied to win Big M qualifier in 1:53.3 (:26.1) May 22, post 11 second tier draw for 3YO debut in NJSS June 5
Driver | Trainer
Jason Bartlett | Marcus Melander
Breeders Crown champion dominated Oak Grove Derby elim in 1:53.4 in 3YO debut, equaled 1:51.3 track record in final, easily made it three-for-three this season with a 1:53.3 romp (track good) in NYSS @ Vernon Downs May 25, aiming for the EBC June 12
Driver | Trainer
Andy McCarthy | Chris Beaver
First crop of 2021 Hambo winner Captain Corey, won six of eight starts, including two KYSS Finals, second in Mohawk Million, track record equaling 1:51.3 in Oak Grove Derby elim in 3YO debut, then a gallant second in final, drew the rail in PASS division June 6
Driver | Trainer
Todd McCarthy | Annie Stoebe
Breeders Crown elimination winner, close second in final, beat Spencer Hanover in Valley Victory in 1:53.3, banked $506,636, won Big M qualifier in 1:53.3 on May 8, wire-to-wire in 1:53.2 Big M qualifier May 29, McCarthy: “He felt super and is nice and tight for next week.” Makes 3YO debut from rail in NJSS June 5
Driver | Trainer
Ronnie Gillespie
2025 Ohio Horse of the Year went seven-for-seven, track records @ Scioto Downs & Dayton, broke in 3YO debut April 23, fourth in Oak Grove Derby elim, wire-to-wire in Silver consolation in 1:52.3, set Scioto Downs track record 1:51.2 in OHSS May 25, then underwent a barn change, not in to go
Driver | Trainer
Dexter Dunn | Marcus Melander
Beat Spencer Hanover in 1:55.3 qualifier May 16, rallied in :26.3 again to win Garden State division May 16, then won NJSS Platinum Division in 1:54.3 over sloppy track May 23, post three in NJSS June 5
Driver | Trainer
Yannick Gingras | Ron Burke
Won NYSS Final, second in Kindergarten Final, banked $395,073, in 3YO debut second (1:51.4) in Oak Grove Derby elim, fourth (1:52.1) from post three in Final, did not race last two weeks, post two in NYSS @ Tioga Downs June 5 (Race 6)
Driver | Trainer
Scott Zeron | Megan Scran
Won elimination in 1:54.4 & final William Wellwood Memorial in 1:52.4, second by a head to Apex in NJSS Final, banked $289,150, won his first Big M qualifier in 1:55.1 May 15, rallied for third behind American Power in 3YO debut May 23, post nine in NJSS June 5
Driver | Trainer
Ake Svanstedt
Second in Wellwood &Peter Haughton, third in Kindergarten Final, banked $220,878, 1:53.1 stakes record Dexter Cup in 3YO debut, fourth (1:54.1) in Big M qualifier May 29, post seven in first Goodtimes elim June 5 as 9-5 ML favorite with Yannick Gingras
Driver | Trainer
Sarah Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt
Rare Pinto from first crop of Captain Corey rattled off four in a row last Fall, dead heat fourth in Valley Victory, dominated 3YO debut in Bunker Hill Trot @ Plainridge in 1:54.2, fifth win in nine career starts, did not race last week, not in to go