Volume Eight Tops Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian Week 1
#1 Volume Eight
Andrew McCarthy, Noel Daley, Sjoblom Racing, Joe Sbrocco, LA Express & JAF Racing, Mario Mazza
Dan Patch Award winner, fastest 2YO male trotter of 2022 [1:52], finished his campaign with five in a row, including the Valley Victory & Kindergarten Classic Final, has not qualified as of June 1
#2 Special Way
Ake Svanstedt, Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld
Dan Patch Award winner, richest 2YO female trotter of 2022 with $697,475, won seven of nine starts, capped by a Canadian record 1:52 in the Breeders Crown, two-for-two this season, has the rail in NJSS Final on June 2
#3 Kilmister
Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant, Inc.
Peter Haughton Memorial winner in 1:53.3, third in the KY Championship Final, Breeders Crown & Valley Victory, took a mark of 1:52.3 & banked $414,121, third placed second (1:53.2) to Kierkegaard K in NYSS season debut on May 29
#4 Walner Payton
Dexter Dunn, Chris Ryder, Kenneth Jacobs
Dominated NJSS Final, mark of 1:52.2 in ISS division @ The Red Mile, second in KY Championship Final, Bluegrass & Breeders Crown, banked $674,900, won 3YO debut in 1:51.4, then second to Special Way, post five in NJSS Final on June 2
#5 Oh Well
Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, S R F Stable
Peter Haughton Memorial runner up won NJSS Final in 1:53.1, Mohawk Million & NJ Classic A Final & banked $748,380, second (1:52.2) in 3YO debut, then just missed in 1:52, post seven in NJSS Final on June 2
#6 Bond
Ake Svanstedt, Little E, L. Berg Inc.
Prolific filly closed out 2022 with six straight wins, including PASS Championship, Kindergarten Classic & Goldsmith Maid, took a mark of 1:52.3 & banked $587,264, romped in Big M qualifier in 1:54 (:26), post eight in PA Allstars division @ Pocono on June 4
#7 Tactical Approach
Scott Zeron, Nancy Takter, Robert Leblanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing
Prominent in KY Commonwealth Series at two, won his two qualifiers & first two starts as a 3YO, including a 1:52.1 NJSS division, third with a :25.4 in the slop on May 20, post two in NJSS Final on June 2
#8 Air Power
Andrew McCarthy, Marcus Melander, Amg Stable Inc., Rick Wahlstedt, Kenneth Kjellgren, Heights Stable
Made only three starts at two, won his 3YO debut in 1:52.1, came right back to upset Ari Ferrari J in a 1:51 NJSS division on May 13, post six in NJSS Final on June 2
#9 Up Your Deo
Ake Svanstedt, Suleyman Yuksel Stables, Deo Volente Farms, Van Camp Trotting Corp.
Second placed ninth in last year’s NJSS Final, broke his maiden in his 3YO debut from post 11 in 1:52 in the slop on May 20, upsetting Oh Well, post five in NJSS Final on June 2
#10 Celebrity Bambino
Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, Burke Racing Stable, J & T Silva Stables, Knox Services, Phil Collura
Breeders Crown elimination winner in 1:53.2, second in that final & in a NJ Classic A Final, also won Garden State Stake in 1:55.1 (in slop) & Valley Victory elimination in 1:53.4, banked $311,719, second (1:52.2) in 3YO debut, then fourth (1:52.3), post two in NJSS Final on June 2
KEY PREP RACES
Hambletonian Eligibles in Caps
| Date | Stakes | Site | Winner | Driver | Trainer | 2nd Horse | 3rd Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6 | Dexter Cup | Fhld | Khaosan Road | Scott Zeron | Ake Svanstedt | ESPRESSO | Candy Bomber | 1:57.4 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | WALNER PAYTON | Dexter Dunn | Chris Ryder | BLONDE BOMBSHELL | SECRET VOLO | 1:51.4 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | AIR POWER | Tim Tetrick | Marcus Melander | Ari Ferrari J | Dire Straits | 1:51 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | SPECIAL WAY | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | MAMBACITA | CHECK HER OUT | 1:53.1 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | TACTICAL APPROACH | Scott Zeron | Nancy Takter | OH WELL | CELEBRITY BAMBINO | 1:52.1 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | SECRET VOLO | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | MAMBACITA | Tactical Mounds | 1:53.2 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | SPECIAL WAY | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | WALNER PAYTON | BLONDE BOMBSHELL | 1:53.4 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | UP YOUR DEO | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | OH WELL | TACTICAL APPROACH | 1:52 |
| May 29 | NYSS 1st Leg | V | Cecil Hanover | Mark MacDonald | Ake Svanstedt | THE GRUFFALO | CROWN | 1:52.3 |
| May 29 | NYSS 1st Leg | V | KIERKEGAARD K | Mark MacDonald | Ake Svanstedt | KILMISTER | TILLIO’S ACTION | 1:53 |
| June 2 | NJSS Final | M | ||||||
| June 2 | NJSS Final | M | ||||||
| June 3 | PASS 1st Leg | Mea | ||||||
| June 3 | PASS 1st Leg | Mea | ||||||
| June 9 | NYSS 2nd Leg | TD | ||||||
| June 9 | NYSS 2nd Leg | TD | ||||||
| June 9 | Goodtimes Elims | Moh | ||||||
| June 9 | Goodtimes Elims | Moh | ||||||
| June 17 | Goodtimes Final | Moh | ||||||
| June 17 | Currier & Ives | Mea | ||||||
| June 17 | Currier & Ives | Mea | ||||||
| June 16 | EBC | V | ||||||
| June 16 | EBC | V | ||||||
| June 18 | Goodtimes Final | Moh | ||||||
| June 23 | Yonkers Trot Elims | Y | ||||||
| June 23 | Yonkers Trot Elims | Y | ||||||
| June 30 | Yonkers Trot | Y | ||||||
| July 1 | Reynolds | M | ||||||
| July 1 | Reynolds | M | ||||||
| July 2 | PASS | Phl | ||||||
| July 2 | PASS | Phl |
