Deweycheatumnhowe, Crazed emerge as top contenders

Deweycheatumnhowe remained unbeaten when he captured his $70,000 Hambletonian elimination Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:52.3, but the 1:52.2 score by Crazed in the third Hambo elim tempered any proclamations that Dewey is a lock to win the trotting classic next Saturday at the Big M. The other Hambo elim went to 22-1 longshot Atomic Hall in 1:54.

Dewey picked up his 14^th straight victory for trainer-driver Ray Schnittker, who described it by saying, “he made a big move today…he was really good.”

Schnittker also said in a post-race interview in the Meadowlands winner’s circle that he plans to continue his colt’s usual schedule, which includes swimming and being ridden.

There was plenty of early speed in Dewey’s race, but Schnittker chose to settle his colt by Muscles Yankee fifth at the pylons while Dennis and Pine After Pine traded roles as the leader. After Dennis cleared to the front just past the :27.2 first quarter, Schnittker made his move and Dewey swept to the front, taking command by the half, reached in :55.3.

From there it was obvious the race was for second. Pine After Pine, with Ron Pierce driving for trainer Jonas Czernyson, hung tough to take second. Big Apple Deli seemed to hang when John Campbell tipped him three wide—out from behind Ace High Hall--coming off the last turn, but he rallied and dug in to take third.

Ace High Hall finished fourth, but did not advance. The only fourth-place finisher to advance was the Schnittker-trained Make It Happen, by virtue of being the fourth-place finisher with the highest career earnings ($573,735). Blue York Yankee, last year’s Peter Haughton Memorial Trot winner, finished seventh and failed to advance.

Crazed was the fastest Hambo elim winner when he scored in 1:52.2 by open lengths, stamping himself as a serious contender against the undefeated Dewey. Clerk Magistrate gave chase after shaking loose in the homestretch, but had too little racetrack to work with and settled for second.

“Last week I thought he was a good colt…he’s the real deal. He proved it tonight,” said Tetrick in a winner’s circle interview with Bob “Hollywood” Heyden.

Crazed is trained by 24-year-old Frank Antonacci. The youngest trainer to win a Hambletonian is Per Eriksson, who won his first Hambo at age 23.

The action was brisk the first three-quarters of the race as Trevor Ritchie gunned Clerk Magistrate out of the gate and Tim Tetrick held his position at the rail with Crazed, a lightly-raced son of Credit Winner. Tetrick yielded to Clerk Magistrate, then Muscle Mass trotted to the front and cleared just before the halfway mark was reached in :55.2.

Tetrick shot back to the front with Crazed before the last turn, and then Yonkers Trot winner Napoleon took his shot and applied pressure before taking a tuck. Clerk Magistrate was pinned until midstretch, then shook loose. Kajan Kooker rallied for third.

Atomic Hall won the first Hambletonian elimination by a mere nose over Celebrity Secret. Celebrity Secret had control of the race through fractions of :28.2, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Guida Muscle put pressure on Celebrity Secret going into the last turn, but Celebrity Secret held his position. Then, as the wire loomed, Atomic Hall and Velocity Hall trotted into contention and all three horses swept under the wire together.

Eric Goodell drove Atomic Hall, a colt by Self Possessed, to the victory for trainer Trond Smedshammer and owner Leif Alberg. The victory was the first this year in six starts for Atomic Hall, who also earned a new lifetime mark with the Hambo elim victory.

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