Karl vs T C I a classic match-up in $1 million Hambletonian

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands has hosted many great events for almost a half-century, and this Saturday (Aug. 3) will be no exception, as an international television audience will see an extraordinary Hambletonian program, telecast along with the prestigious Whitney card from historic Saratoga Race Course live on FOX Sports (3-6 p.m.; locally on FOX 5 New York).

In baseball, the hot stove league is the sport’s off-season. The phrase does not denote an actual league, but instead calls up images of baseball fans gathering around a hot stove during the cold winter months, discussing their favorite teams and players in anticipation of the upcoming season.

When Standardbred racing was taking their winter break from stakes racing a year ago, its “hot stove league” was boiling over talking about the 2023 season. When the talk came around to predicting the winner of the 2024 Hambletonian, two colts had established themselves as the winter book favorites.

Karl and T C I

To understand the magnitude of the anticipation for this year’s $1,050,000 Hambo, we have to go back to October 6 of 2023.

It was the first matchup between the unbeaten 2-year-olds, which was held at The Red Mile. In that race, Karl would sweep around T C I after the quarter, with T C I stalking him in the pocket. After a memorable stretch duel, and after a lengthy look at a tight photo, the conclusion was T C I had his nose in front at the wire to win the International Stallion Stakes.

Three weeks later, Karl would exact his revenge in the Breeders Crown. As he did in Lexington, driver Yannick Gingras took Karl to the top past the quarter. On this night, Karl would not be denied, as he evened the score with his 2-year-old rival, donning the Crown before going on to be named the winner of the Dan Patch Award as the top horse in the division.

As we headed into the 2024 stakes season, any Hambletonian talk would start with the same two names: Karl and T C I. Their ownerships would choose different paths to the big race, preventing the Dynamic Duo from going head-to-head – until Hambo Day, that is.

Karl would race exclusively at The Meadowlands, rattling off consecutive victories at the mile oval on May 11 and May 18, before completing a three-race New Jersey Sire Stakes sweep with a win in the final on May 31.

One month later, Karl returned to The Meadowlands in the Reynolds Stakes on June 29. From post position eight, Karl was dominant, winning his division for his 13th victory in 14 lifetime starts.

T C I, on the other hand, took his show on the road. He would record wins in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on May 31 at The Meadows and Pocono Downs on June 8. Three weeks later, he would come to The Meadowlands and win a division of the Reynolds the same night as Karl.

July would be a rollercoaster of a month for the two colts. On Independence Day, T C I would break at the start of the Zweig Memorial at Vernon Downs and be taken back to last. Although he would make a massive recovery, T C I would taste defeat for the first time in 2024, eventually finishing fourth, while beaten just two lengths.

The next stop for both colts was the Stanley Dancer in East Rutherford on July 13. Just like the Reynolds, the two colts again would not meet, as they drew into separate divisions.

Karl would race first and took command as he usually did. But on this night, Karl showed vulnerability not seen in his career, tiring in the final strides to finish third behind Sig Sauer and Tony Adams S.

Less than an hour later, T C I would lose as well, coming first-over past the half, before racing gamely to the wire but unable to gain on winner Situationship and runner-up Caballero. He, like Karl, would finish third.

All of a sudden, the clear picture that was the 3-year-old division was now a bit cloudy. The two top colts had been defeated, and with that, a total of 20 competitors dropped into the box for the Hambletonian eliminations.

Again, the Prolific Pair would draw into separate divisions. Karl would step up to the plate first and delivered his best performance of the year, winning in 1:50.3.

Now, it was T C I’s turn, and he won the second elimination for fun, as driver David Miller changed tactics, taking T C I aggressively to the front. Just as Karl did in his elimination, T C I put forth his finest performance of the season, stopping the clock in 1:50.4.

So here we are, 10 months after that first matchup in Lexington where they hit the wire together. By the way, if there wasn’t already enough pressure and drama, let’s add this flammable log to the fire.

Three of the greatest names in harness racing are trainer Ron Burke and drivers Gingras and Miller. Burke and Gingras have teamed up to win many of the sport’s biggest events on numerous occasions throughout their careers but will be on separate sides on Saturday afternoon.

Miller is a Hall of Famer who is closing in on his first outright Meadowlands driving title. He drives T C I for Burke, while Gingras guides Karl.

Ironically, none of the above has ever won “America’s Trotting Classic”. One can only imagine how desperately each wants to win his first Hambletonian.

The two colts, along with Burke, Gingras and Miller, don’t have to wait any longer to try again for their first grasp at the Hambletonian brass ring. The dream matchup that the entire racing world has been anxiously waiting for isn’t a dream any longer. Just like the UFC’s Dana White, The Meadowlands has delivered the championship fight that everyone wants to see.

The 16-race program, featuring all of the sport’s greatest stars and many of the sport’s greatest races, has a first-race post time of noon.

KEEPING POSTED: The Hambletonian has a post time of 4:45 p.m.; the Whitney (from Saratoga) 5:42 p.m.; and the Hambletonian Oaks 6:06 p.m.

In addition to the Hambletonian, there are nine other stakes events that will be contested on the card.

Here’s a look:

• $525,000 Hambletonian Oaks (3-year-old filly trot) – Elista Hanover, victorious in one of three Oaks eliminations last week, is the favorite as she seeks her 11^th consecutive victory. Allegiant and R Melina won the other elims and are looking to pull off what would be a mild upset should either get to the winner’s circle.
• $248,000 Cane Pace (3-year-old colt and gelding pace) – Legendary Hanover makes his triumphant return to East Rutherford off his 1:46.3 clocking in the Meadowlands Pace, which established a stakes and track record.
• $101,000 Shady Daisy (3-year-old filly pace) – Nancy Takter trainee Caviart Belle looks for her third straight win at The Meadowlands off victories in the Jerry Silverman and Tompkins-Geers.
• $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old colt and gelding trot) – Go Boom, Tactical Dynasty, Yannick G Kemp and Onajetplane all come into this dash off victories, which figures to make for a highly competitive event.
• $220,000 Sam McKee Memorial (older pace) – Division leader Abuckabett Hanover goes for a Meadowlands Natural Hat Trick off wins in the Dave Brower Memorial and William Haughton Memorial. He’ll once again have to earn it, taking on the tough trio of Ken Hanover, Allywag Hanover and Voukefalas.
• $160,000 Dr. John Steele Memorial (older mare trot) – A stacked field features a pair of hard-hitters from the Ake Svanstedt barn – Special Way and Bond – going up against M-M’s Dream and Tactical Mounds, who were the winners of the two most recent legs of the Miss Versatility.
• $282,000 John Cashman Memorial (open trot) – Talk about tough choices. Dexter Dunn will not drive Winner’s Bet, who has been victorious in four-of-five starts this year, but rather, will pilot super mare Jiggy Jog S, who is perfect in two outings this year, having taken the Arthur Cutler Memorial and Six Pack.
• $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old filly trot) – Another Sire Stakes dash, another wide-open race, as recent winners Spicy Nice, Conversano, Champagne Problems and R Charm clash.
• $175,000 Lady Liberty (older mare pace) – The top-ranked horse in the sport, Twin B Joe Fresh, looks her sixth consecutive victory in the final stakes event of the day. The Chris Ryder trainee has already won the 2024 editions of the Betsy Ross, Roses Are Red, Perfect Sting and Dorothy Haughton Memorial.

NOTE: Allegiant, R Melina and Elista Hanover drew for posts 1-5 for winning their respective eliminations. Buy A Round qualified as the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings.

CATCH THE HAMBO ON FOX: On Hambletonian Day, both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks can be seen on the networks of FOX Sports, as the TV departments at The Big M and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) continue to bring harness racing to a nationwide audience.

“The Meadowlands is fortunate to be teaming up with NYRA and FOX to present an incredible afternoon of racing on Hambletonian Day,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Many of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing’s greatest stars and greatest races will be seen by an international audience that day.”

The 99^th Hambletonian, which is race 12 on The Big M program, is slated to go at 4:45 p.m. and will be shown to a nationwide audience on the main FOX network (locally on FOX 5 New York). Fans of the “runners” will no doubt keep the TV on to catch the latter part of “Saratoga Live”, when the Gr. I Whitney will be the marquee event. The Whitney should head to the gate at approximately 5:42 p.m.

They’ll be more harness action later in the day, as during “America’s Day at the Races”, the Hambletonian Oaks – race 14 at The Meadowlands – will be shown live at approximately 6:06 p.m. It can be seen on FOX Sports 1 (FS1).

Here is the tentative schedule for the remaining Big M broadcasts with the marquee event(s) that will be shown. Where not listed, specific networks – FOX, FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:

• August 3: Hambletonian, 4-5 p.m. (FOX)
• August 3: Hambletonian Oaks, 6-6:30 p.m. (FS1)
• October 18: Breeders Crown eliminations, 1-6 p.m. (TBD)
• October 19: Breeders Crown eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 25: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 26: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)

SEE IT ON CBS: There will be a Hambletonian recap show on the CBS Sports Network that will be shown twice: Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.

The broadcast will be hosted by Greg Blanchard with Emily Ratcliff and Michael Carter providing analysis and interviews.

CATCH THE STREAM: The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) will have all day coverage of Saturday’s card, with Blanchard, Carter and Mark McKelvie manning the microphones. Check it out on YouTube.

The entire day’s events can also be seen on both The Meadowlands YouTube Channel and Facebook pages.

For everything Hambletonian, go to Hambletonian.com.

DRIVE AWAY HAPPY: As part of the Hambletonian excitement, someone will win a new car on Hambletonian Eve.

That night, someone will drive out of The Big M in a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry LE AWD in the track’s HorsePlay Giveaway, which takes place every race day until the car is given away on Friday, Aug. 2.

The HorsePlay Giveaway is sponsored by Purple Haze Stables.

The contest has patrons throwing little plastic horses into the car that will be given away for a chance to win it. Of those horses that end up on the track, kids can get involved. Children who help out picking up the plastic horses off the track will receive a free ice cream at the Café.

For complete information, and to enter this extremely popular promotion,click here

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CASINO AND POKER NIGHT: If you like casino gaming, and giving to good causes, check out Hambletonian Charity Casino and Poker Night at The Meadowlands on Friday, Aug. 2.

The Standardbred Retirement Foundation and The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame are the event’s sponsors.

The evening’s festivities will include an open bar, dinner, poker, roulette, craps, blackjack and raffle prizes.

The poker tournament has limited seating, so it is highly recommended you purchase tickets in advance. The grand prize is a trip for two to Las Vegas (which includes hotel and airfare). Second prize is $350, with third prize at $175.

For complete information, click here

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A TASTY MENU: The Hambletonian Day betting menu is sure to please, offering non-stop action from race one – which gets underway at noon – until the 16^th and final dash – which goes at approximately 7 p.m.

Since it is the last day of the Championship Meet, all wagers will offer mandatory payouts, and, in addition, there will be $350,000 in guaranteed pools.

Here’s what will be offered:

• Races 1-6: 20-cent Pick-6 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 3-7: 20-cent Pick-5 ($75,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 5-8: 50-cent Pick-4
• Races 6-12: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 7: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)
• Races 9-12: 50-cent Pick-4 ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 12-15: 50-cent Pick-4 ($125,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 16: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)

In addition, multi-leg lovers can get in on the “Cross Country Pick-5”, a wager where a player has to correctly select the winners of Race 8 at Monmouth, Race 9 at Saratoga, Race 12 at The Meadowlands (Hambletonian), Race 10 at Saratoga and Race 11 at Saratoga (Whitney).

A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY: The best place to be on Hambletonian Day is in the middle of all the action and activities at the track.

The doors will open at 10 a.m., so come and claim your spot. The first race goes at noon.

There will be a $5 admission, but that includes a commemorative 99th Hambletonian hat for adults and kids.

Dress Code: Big M management is encouraging everyone to wear their best summer attire – especially in dining areas Trotters, Pink, the Skybox Suites, Lounge and Victory Terrace.

Guaranteed dining/seating available for purchase:

• $300 Promenade Table – Seats four people and table purchase includes admission
• $100 Cafe Table – Seats 4 people and the $100 is food credit for use at the Cafe (admission not included)
• Second-floor Lounge seating – Tables of two and four available along with four-person couch. Purchase is beverage and food credit for Victory (admission not included)

Festivities include live music in the Backyard by the Craig Sailer Project; carnival rides and games throughout the Backyard; and a Hambo Hat contest (sign up is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby. Prizes – First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100, Fourth: $50; Fanciest: $100.)

In addition, the FanZone Tent will have free swag giveaways all day, and there will also be a driver and trainer autograph session from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

THE SKED: This weekend marks the final two programs of the Championship Meet at The Big M.

Live racing will take place Friday (Aug. 2) at 6:20 p.m. and Saturday (Aug. 3) at noon.

The Big M’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show begins Friday at 5:45 p.m. with Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set.

Saturday’s pregame show kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with Prewitt sitting alongside Dave Little. During the program, Big M morning-line odds maker and program analyst John Rallis will be Little’s broadcast partner as Prewitt handles winner’s circle interviews.

FREE PROGRAMS: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is click here to access the information.

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M team of Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

RALLIS’ RACE REVIEWS: For some help with your handicapping, check out the race reviews of The Big M’s morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst, Rallis.

Rallis’ reviews are available 48 hours before a given card, and all one has to do to access the information, click here, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”

From The Meadowlands