Corky Triumphs in Beal Final
By Frank & Ray Cotolo
(H) denotes Hambletonian Eligible
Just as Smilin Eli (H-Muscles Yankee) was ready to claim the top spot in the division with an iron-clad victory in the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Final at Pocono on June 29, Corky (H-Muscles Yankee) continued his winning streak and won the event in 1:54.3.
David Miller was aggressive with Corky, giving him a long, outside trip to win for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter, John Fielding and Jim Fielding.
Corky wore out Smilin Eli, who had a strenuous trot to the top by the half after leaving from post 9. Smili Eli faded to fifth, while 71-1 Picture This got a great trip to finish second and Dontyouforgetit (H-Cantab Hall) was third. Corky paid $16.60.
Eligibles also battled on June 29 at Yonkers in a $20,000 Hudson Filly Trot elim. Only four eligibles were at the gate and second-choice Royal Assets (H-Donato Hanover) took third.
Lady Broadway won for trainer Chris Oakes in 1:55.3/ Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Hauser Bros. Racing Ent., LLC, own the winning filly. The other eligibles making the final were Cha Cha Magic (H-Kadabra), Southwind Cocoa (H-Chocolatier) and Time To Kill (H-Muscles Yankee).
A Hanover stake at Balmoral that same night saw a pair of eligible colts try for a $37,000 prize. Longwell (H-Yankee Glide) was one of two eligibles and finished third. Deweykidumnhowe (H-Deweycheatumnhowe) broke early and finished last.
At Tioga June 29 Proclaiming April (H-Conway Hall), our choice ($3.10) won a New York Sires Stakes event worth $44,029 at Tioga. Trond Smedshammer trains and drives for White Birch Farms. The winner finished in 1:56.1.
Keep watching the Hambletonian Trail blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.
