More Hambo Day Selections

You have seen my selections for Hambletonian Day, now VFTRG contributor Joe F. offers his selections for the day.

Meadowlands Hambletonian Day Card

Race 1) I’m shocked that six of the seven competitors in the SBOA Miss New Jersey are by Western Ideal, who skipped town a couple of years ago. On the other hand, quality trumps quantity every time. Nitelife is the lone daughter of Rocknroll in the race, but this winner of 7 of 8 is simply better than these.

Race 2) Merrie Annabelle. Cantab Hall is the best trotting stallion on the planet. Maybe Muscle Hill will outdo him over time but he has a lot of catching up to do. Cantab’s daughter, Lifetime Pursuit, can look to her maternal uncles, The Chancellor and Beer Summit, for added speed. Give me Lifetime Pursuit.

Race 3) Maven has showed some vulnerability this month. They gave her last week off after she suffered her first loss of the season. It’s against my better judgment to pick a son or daughter of Donato Hanover to win anything, but CMO is an exception. She has a couple of races in her after a late start, and has Tetrick as well. Yes, give me CMO.

Race 4) Folks love to bet Drop The Ball, and I’m no exception. Speed, speed, speed. She was fast and tough in that gutsy second place finish to Anndrovette in the Roses Are Red, but the latter would have still beaten her if they circled the track again. Anndrovette is the class of the division and TT knows how to get her home.

Race 5) Peter Haughton. Father Patrick—another Cantab Hall—is special. That :53.4 win in the prelim was nasty.

Race 6) FFA Trot. I have no use for any of them.

Race 7) First Hambletonian elimination. There are lots of colts that like to be up front leaving inside of Royalty For Life. Coming overland and exploding off cover isn’t his game. I’ll take him anyway.

Race 8) Second Hambletonian elimination. Dustin Jones has gone all confessional in his recent interviews. He pretty much told us they stiffed Wheeling N Dealin in his first three starts, and that now he’s ready to revert back to his October 2012 form. If true, he’s tons better than this bunch. Aperfectyankee is a real nice colt, but you’re stuck with Jim Oscarsson in the driver’s seat if you go that route. W N D from the rail, please. Wheeling N Dealin is by what stallion? The great Cantab Hall, of course.

Race 9) Third Hambletonian elimination. It should be obvious by now that I’m no chalk player—what?-- but it comes down to Corky or Spider Blue Chip. David Miller will make the top with Corky and Pierce will be on a suicide mission to take it from him with Spider Blue Chip. I think Corky is better; I’ll take him.

Race 10) Cashman. Tetrick said last week that right now Market Share is better than Chapter Seven ever was. He’ll crush this field. Herbie will be second.

Race 11) Oaks. I don’t see how one could bet against Bee,  Personal Style at $116.40 in last year’s Oaks notwithstanding.

Race 12) Hambletonian. Elimination winners draw for posts 1-5. That would be Royalty For Life, Corky and Wheeling N Dealin for me. The latter was simply better than Royalty For Life in the fall. I’ll go with Wheeling N Dealin.

Race 13) New Jersey Classic. This was the race of the day on last year’s Hambletonion Day card. Kingcole vs Panther. :52.2 to the half; 118.2 to the three quarters; mile in :47.2, with Panther just getting up for the win. I don’t think this bunch has a race like that in them, but there are some nice colts in here. Lucan Hanover was very strong in the Summertime at Mohawk. Coleman is apparently very high on him. Wake Up Peter, who has yet to win, has been a disappointment, but he did make the board in five of his eight starts against the better colts. Word Power drew the seven twice and the nine once in his last four starts. He lost to Sunfire Blue Chip and The Captain in his last three. Time for Word Power to break out for Morrill.

Race 14) USPC. Golden Receiver romped on the front end last year, but that was a much weaker field. These horses are younger and faster; seven of the ten are four-year-olds. Last year there were no four-year-olds in the USPC. Still, Callahan will get Golden Receiver to the top. That was a very good win for Needy in the prelim but he went a big mile in his Haughton prelim and finished fourth in the final. I don’t like the fact that in 42 lifetime starts he has one open stakes win, and a grade two at that—the Mohawk Gold Cup. He needs this. JJ will probably leave for position with Needy and Duer and Golden Receiver will surely blow out of there. Pet Rock and Kingcole will provide pace in the middle of the race. I’ll go with the very consistent Sweet Lou.

Race 15) FFA. Milby will get right to the top with Abelard and control the race. Bettor’s Edge and Fred And Ginger will have to come overland off a soft half to beat Abelard. I’ll take Bettor’s Edge.