The Intruder - 1956
The Intruder, owned by the Allwood Stable of Far Hills, New Jersey, captured the 31st Hambletonian, and the final one at Goshen’s Good Time Park. In an exciting three heat duel, driver/trainer Ned Bower became the second youngest man to win the big race in his first Hambletonian appearance. Bower, just shy of 33, swept the final two heats after finishing seventh in the first heat, which was won by Valiant Rodney. In the initial heat, The Intruder had second tier 11 post and was forced into a break when Dial Tone, on the rail, made a break. Meanwhile, Valiant Rodney stormed through the stretch to beat Moray, who made a break at the wire. Moray was later placed fourth. In the next heat, favored Egyptian Princess, given some sharp handling by Earle Avery, reached the lead and cut fractions until the three-quarter mark. The Intruder was ninth at the quarter, tenth at the half, and 15th at the three-quarter mark. But he rallied to win the heat by a half a length. In the final, Egyptian Princess again cut the mile while The Intruder remained off the pace, seventh at the half and three-quarters. But Bower got his charge rolling shortly thereafter and won going away by three-quarters of a length. The Intruder was the fifth performer by the stallion Scotland to win the famed classic, joining Rosalind (1936), Spencer Scott (1940), The Ambassador (1942) and Hoot Mon (1947).
After the death of Mr. Cane in 1955, his widow and the management of Yonkers Raceway, which would eventually purchase Good Time Park, hosted the Hambletonian one last time at Goshen. An unraced two-year-old, The Intruder won only two of seven starts at three (both overnight races, the fastest in 2:07 on a half-mile track) before the Hambletonian. Owner Leonard Buck was persuaded to enter his horse at the last minute by racing writers Elizabeth Rorty and Frances Wallace after the colt worked two miles with fast last halves (58 seconds) – perfect for the bulky 20 horse field. A Hambletonian that produced several longshot winners, Mrs. David R. Johnston’s Valiant Rodney won the first heat and paid $60.30 for $2.00. The Intruder was eleventh. The Intruder won the next two heats, paying $26.80 and $10.90 respectively. He was the highest priced winner ever in a final heat. The favorite in all three heats was Clearview Stable’s Egyptian Princess (14-2-4), owned by Norman Woolworth, and his brother Fred. Woolworth has continued his ownership of top quality stakes winners through an amazing five decades. He did have to wait 17 years to win the Hambletonian — with another filly, Duenna (1983). Woolworth and the Johnstons eventually became partners in Stoner Creek Stud. The Intruder was the eighth Hambletonian winner bred by Walnut Hall Farm, a record at the time. He was also the 14th sired by a Walnut Hall stallion, also a record at the time. He was the last of five winners by Scotland who was 26 at the time of the mating. Ego Hanover, who was pacing at the finish of the final heat, went unnoticed by the judges. Fifth in the summary overall, the incident did not affect Ego Hanover since only four monies were paid that year.
