A few comments from the Hambo press conference

The Hambletonian press conference was full of quips from the participants, who gave their takes on everything from post positions to their careers, and here’s a quick sampling of the comments given in response to questions from Meadowlands statistician Bob “Hollywood” Heyden and announcer Sam McKee.

“If we could eliminate trotting hobbles for this year’s Hambletonian, I might win it.”—three-time Hambo winning trainer Ron Gurfein, who sends out 20-1 Hambo longshot Kajan Kooker.

“I asked Brian (Sears) and he said that’s what he wanted to have.”—Jimmy Takter, the trainer of Lantern Kronos, regarding the reason he picked post three for his filly.

“That’s what Tim (Tetrick) wants.”—Frank Antonacci, trainer of Crazed, explaining why he chose post two.

“I’ve won a lot of races off the rail.”—Ray Schnittker, explaining why he took post one for Deweycheatumnhow.

“Ray (Schnittker) took my post.”—Trond Smedshammer, explaining why he took post three for Atomic Hall.

“I come over here today and see Per Eriksson sitting at Jonas’s table, and I think we’ve got an ace in the hole.”—Ron Pierce, commenting about three-time Hambletonian winner Eriksson visiting from Sweden and joining his former assistant, Jonas Czernyson, trainer of Hambo starter Pine After Pine.

“Gas was 33 cents a gallon when John Simpson Jr. won his the Hambletonian in 1970 with Timothy T.—Bob Heyden, giving a reality check on how time has passed for Simpson.

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