Fillies punch tickets to $500K Hambletonian Oaks Final

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The picture for the Grade 1 Hambletonian Oaks shifted greatly from expectations with some surprise harness racing performances from both ends of the spectrum in the three $50,000 eliminations at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 26).

First came 11-1 shot Delaney Hanover (Muscle Hill), who motored off a second-over ride to score a lifetime-best 1:52.3 win in the first Oaks elimination.

After a :27.1 first quarter, driver Scott Zeron flushed cover from R Dutchess as Champagne Problems moseyed up the backstretch to a :56.3 half with Sound Judgement in the pocket. R Dutchess loomed forward through three-quarters in 1:25 before retreating into the stretch.

Champagne Problems maintained her speed down the lane, but Zeron lifted Delaney Hanover to the center of the track and built the most momentum to barrel by in the last eighth and win going away by 1-1/4 lengths.

DELANEY HANOVER REPLAY

Champagne Problems finished second and Sound Judgement took third. Lady Landia, the 2-5 favorite and last year’s Breeders Crown champion, trailed the field and tried to rally in the stretch, but missed the final when finishing sixth.

“My expectations are always tempered because it’s racing and you never know what’s going to happen,” said Andrew Steinberg, co-owner of Delaney Hanover through Shermay Stables. “She won her first two races as a 2-year-old, but then she got sick with stomach ulcers and we were careful with her at the end of the year. She came back really good; she’s an all-star. And it’s emotional because my father started the business. We’ve had nothing like this. My dad is in the sky looking upon us and I’m very emotional. I hope he’s proud of me today.”

Lucas Wallin trains Delaney Hanover, a filly by Muscle Hill-Danielle Hanover, for owners Wiesman Farms LLC, Shermay Stables and Wallin Racing Stable Inc. She won her first race from three starts this season and her third race from nine starts in her career, good for $158,185 in earnings. She paid $25.80 to win.

Next, Miss Belmar (Muscle Hill) commandeered her competition and capitalized on a rough mile from favorite What A Bid Hanover to register a 1:52.3 victory in the second Hambletonian Oaks elimination.

Walspea carved a :27.2 first quarter while driver Andy McCarthy readied Miss Belmar for a brush into the backstretch. Miss Belmar cleared control before a :57 half and cruised as favored What A Bid Hanover, who broke past the quarter, attempted a rebound first over before tiring through the final turn. Past three-quarters in 1:25.3, Miss Belmar strode strongly for the finish until falling out of rhythm into the last eighth. But McCarthy held her focus to the finish to wade off flanking rivals by a half length. Deja Blu finished second with Walspea taking third.

MISS BELMAR REPLAY

“Noel [Daley]’s been a magician in terms of getting fillies ready for the races and having them peak at the right time,” co-owner Dave Offenberg said. “We’re along for the ride, but it’s a great ride and I have some great partners.”

Noel Daley trains Miss Belmar, a daughter of Muscle Hill-Chapter Too, for owners Allister Stables, Dean Ehrgott, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing and Zei Zei Racing Inc. She won her third race – off a winless freshman campaign – from 13 starts and has now earned $261,782.

“Noel’s been very delicate with her,” co-owner John Fodera said. “Last year she went into the Breeders Crown and finished second; she was a maiden going most of the year. It’s just been a blessing to get her this far this year, but right now he has her at her peak so we’re looking forward to next week.”

Miss Belmar paid $8.80 to win.

Conversano emerged the least surprising winner of the three Oaks eliminations, though she just held on for victory as the 1-5 favorite in a 1:52.4 mile.

Driver Andy McCarthy sat fourth with Conversano to a :27.1 first quarter and waited to make her move along the rim until after a :56.2 half. She ranged forward towards tempo-setter R Charm on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.4 and pushed past her spinning for home, though she stalled on the outside in the stretch. R Charm tried to charge back, but Conversano withstood the challenge and kept a nose in front at the finish. Aperfect Annie took third off a pocket trip and Torrisi earned the last berth into the final with the highest lifetime earnings of the eliminations’ fourth-place finishers.

CONVERSANO REPLAY

“She just gets a little lost when she’s out there by herself,” winning driver Andy McCarthy said. “She’s always been that way; once she clears, she forgets what her job is. I had to remind her a bit late, but once she sees horses coming back at her she’ll get going again. I was quite pleased with her – she did her job.”

Juan Cano trains Conversano, a daughter of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth, for owner Hot Lead Farm.

“I’m really happy – I’ve never been happier in my life than right now,” said Cano, who will make his Oaks debut with his first starter. “I don’t have any words to say. The only thing I can say is thanks to God and to the owner for giving me the chance and the opportunity.”

Conversano won her eighth race from 16 starts, has now banked $263,636 and paid $2.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands