Hooray, it’s Hambo Day!

The Super Bowl is professional football’s greatest event…no doubt about it.

The World Series is Maior League Baseball’s greatest event…no doubt about it.

Saturday is harness racing’s Hambletonian which, in these eyes, is the greatest event in ALL of sports.

Since Harry O. Reno, a live wire salesman from Chicago, came up with the idea to form an event for three-year-old trotters about one full century ago, the Hambletonian has been a most anticipated event since 1926…the year Guy McKinney, a son of Guy Axworthy, won for legendary driver Nat Ray—the purse a rousing $73,451.32.

Yes, it has survived all this time, despite and in spite of a very rocky “racetrack” along the way due to the crippling depression beginning in the 1929.

By 1934, the Hambletonian purse had deflated to $25,845.44, the year Lord Jim won—he, too, sired by Guy Axworthy—and it took four grueling heats to do it.

In the early years, the Hambletonian was raced in Syracuse, New York, Lexington, Kentucky, and Goshen, New York with the Good Time Park track in Goshen finally becoming “permanent” host until 1956 (with the exception of 1943 in “gas rationing” wartime and raced at the Empire City Racetrack, which became Yonkers Raceway in 1950.)

In 1957, the DuQuoin State Fair in Illinois was awarded the Hambletonian and was its home until 1980 with The Meadowlands becoming the host track in 1981.

The Hambletonian has become a legendary event in sport with the “Grey Ghost.” Greyhound—arguably the most celebrated trotter of all time—winning in 1935. the grand filly Helicopter, with amateur driver Harry Harvey winning in 1953 in the most crowded event of 23 horses in three tiers. And we can’t forget the “cast” of 1962 including Sanders Russell, who drove A.C.’s Viking to victory wearing a “cast” on his broken ankle.

Of course, the cast of winners coming up to this edition of The Hambletonian is, indeed, legendary and much too long for this Mane Attraction so we’ll now take a look from a handicapping standpoint to see if someone can, somehow, win an equal amount to this year’s Hambletonian purse—$1,000,000!

Here are one handicapper’s thoughts—mine—and please remember, I try for some gusto in my picks since…”HARDLY A MAN IS NOW ALIVE WHO PAID HIS MORTGAGE AT 3 TO 5!”

THE 98TH EDITION OF THE HAMBLETONIAN

9-GHOSTLY CASPER…drew poorly, yes, but have witnessed his ability for monster brushes, including his last race in the Elims and after he was bothered a bit early on but remained composed. I understand that David Miller “picked off” but there is little difference—if any at all—in these drivers. With an expected very quick pace and some live cover flow, this colt can upset the applecart…and at a nice price.

4-WINNER’S BET…had a very poor post in last week’s elimination and had to trot a mile and 30 yards but held remarkably well after being hung out to dry like wet laundry. Drew much better this time around and his performance last week was all the more impressive after missing a week, so he should be much tighter this time around.

10-TACTICAL APPROACH…another stuck with an outside post last week and really never able to join the fray like he usually likes to do. He, too, went a long, long mile in his last and had some live cover flow and is another who can fashion some wicked closing quarter miles. I just can’t seem to forget that mile in late May on a track a bit “off” where he clicked off a :25.4 kick home. I am wondering if he might be on the engine when wings spring open looking for a closer spot.

5-POINT OF PERFECT…very consistent and stepped up to the plate in last to take a lifetime mark. Charted line in last might be a bit deceiving as it shows “1’s” across at every call but this was a two move mile showing early speed before getting brief cover and a second move to the front on the backside. Miller’s choice, yes, but maybe a decision to go with one trainer over another on stable size alone.

1-CELEBRITY BAMBINO…ultra impressive in last and put cards on the table with a life’s best performance—this after yet another two week layoff from the racing wars. Was out in :55.3 and home in :55.1 and has shown great versatility and consistent :final panels in:27 or a tick or two faster. Will be forwardly placed throughout…but will probably be forced to make an early move so as not to be stuck in any sort of traffic going for a share of a million.

2-OH WELL…had a beautiful journey in last sitting in the three spot, pulled at top of the lane but just didn’t seem to have that “killer instinct” in final stages. One blemish on his resume last season came at the wrong time but, other than that, about as consistent as they make ‘em. Looks like he needs things to go his own way lately.

3-OSCEOLA…hit a bump in the road a couple of starts, qualified ferociously and, last week, was careful leaving from the “rail” and only strut his stuff once they straightened away for the drive home. I would classify it as “severe” trot in the final stages of the elimination to secure a spot in this classic. Drew nicely, too.

8-FRENCH WINE…left the gate with alacrity in last for early lead, yielded for the garden journey and drafted along, had good trot in the lane but unable to really dent the winner. That was from the “4” post and he’s saddled with the “8” post this time around. Consistent, yes, but so are other with credentials coming in, as well.

7-SOUTHWIND COORS…has climbed a steep ladder to get to the big show here. Had a bit of trot leaving the wings in last, settled up a bit closer from his “8” post, pulled final bend but couldn’t do much denting, kind of “even” in final stages with no threat to winner but able to secure spot in the top five. Tough assignment here.

6-UP YOUR DEO…kind of an “even-steven” mile in the elimination in his first start back in a month. Has some impressive lines on his resume and should be tighter with last week under his girth but he’s probably a bit of a long shot proposition against the others in here.

So, that’s my look at the 2023 Hambletonian!

MAY THE HORSE BE WITH YOU!

by John Berry, for Harnesslink