Hambo 2nd bittersweet

Hall of Fame trainer Doug Ackerman and 3-year-old colt trotter Chocolatier are back home in Michigan, with the Hambletonian runner-up scheduled to make his next appearance at Hazel Park Friday night when he leads the post parade for the third race Preferred Handicap Mare Trot.

Ackerman, 78, was hoping to win his first Hambletonian last Saturday with the reigning divisional champion Chocolatier, but despite a valiant come-from-behind effort with his son D.R. driving, had to settle for second-place honors behind the winning Glidemaster.

“I hate to yes, it was a little bit (disappointing), but I thought we could win,” Ackerman told harnessracing.com Thursday afternoon from his home near Hazel Park Raceway. “I’ll tell you what Mr. Skolnick (co-owner Allen Skolnick of Southwind Farm) said. He called me Monday and said, ‘Doug, I just want to tell you, I probably would be a little happier if we won it, but I just can’t imagine how I could be any happier than I am right now.’ That’s pretty good, isn’t it?”

As for Chocolatier’s effort, Ackerman said, “He was rolling, wasn’t he? They were going about as fast as they can go. But he’s a good horse, that other horse (Glidemaster). We both raced pretty good.”

Ackerman said he has given Chocolatier a few days off, and will now get him ready for the American National at Balmoral Park. “The elims are a week from Saturday, but I doubt they’ll have them,” said Ackerman.

The $175,000 (est.) American National final is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26. Ackerman added that up next for Chocolatier would then be the World Trotting Derby at Du Quoin.

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