Classic Photo Hambo choice

Classic Photo did the expected while winning his Hambletonian elimination at the Meadowlands Saturday, but defending divisional champ Ken Warkentin will not be returning for the final next weekend after making his first break ever and failing to make the cut in the second elim that also saw Southfork pace through the stretch and be disqualified after crossing the wire second.



In one of the strangest Hambo elims ever contested, Ken Warkentin was the 2-5 favorite in the first of the two $100,000 splits and appeared to be headed to a victory down the stretch as he prepared to go past pacesetter Vivid Photo. But Ken Warkentin suddenly went offstride in mid stretch for driver David Miller and Vivid Photo and driver Roger Hammer opened up a clear margin over the rest of the field.



As Vivid Photo neared the wire, a late-rushing Southfork and driver Ron Pierce cut into the margin. But Southfork had switched to the pace so the effort was fruitless, with Vivid Photo scoring in 1:53.2. Self Professed was third-placed-second following the DQ to last of Southfork, with Strong Yankee moved from fourth to third. Mr. Dream Om and Gettindownanddirty, who finished fourth and fifth respectively in the final order, will also return for the $1.5 million final Aug. 6.



Vivid Photo's win was his ninth in a row for trainer-driver Hammer. Hammer also co-owns the son of SJ's Photo with Todd Schadel.



There were no surprises in the second elim as favored Classic Photo and driver Pierce overcame the outside nine post to win in 1:53.3. Pierce dropped Classic Photo into fourth early and then pulled first over down the backstretch. He wore down a tiring pacesetting Vino Camielle down the lane to draw clear by nearly three lengths over Northern Ensign, with Muscle Bound third. Muscle Memory and Racino will also return for the final. Last year's Peter Haughton Memorial winner New York Yank made a break at the start to fall out of contention.



Erv Miller trains the winning son of SJ's Photo for H.W. Wright, Jack and Peggy Hood and Kevin and Dennis Lakomy's Mystical Marker Farms. It was his fifth straight win, solidly placing the Stanley Dancer Trot and Goodtimes winner the Hambo favorite.

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