Hambo day packed with entertainment

“Every race works out differently,” reminded John Campbell when asked to discuss the Hambletonian draw and his chances with morning-line favorite Lucky Chucky.

 

[In addition to being the morning-line favorite, Lucky Chucky is  the sentimental favorite in Saturday’s race. Sylvester’s 45-year-old son, Troy, passed away last year on Hambletonian Day, Aug.  8, as the result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident. Lucky Chucky raced that day, finishing third in the Peter Haughton Memorial.

“It sure would be great to win this race after the tragedy last year,” an emotional Sylvester sed aid after Lucky Chucky won his Hambletonian elimination race by three-quarters of a length over Mystery Photo and Holiday Road in 1:53.1.

 

Sylvester has won the Hambletonian four times--one shy of the training record shared by Bill Haughton, Stanley Dancer and Ben White. Campbell already holds the record for most driving wins, with six. Sylvester and Campbell teamed to win the 1998 Hambletonian with Muscles Yankee and the 1987 Hambletonian with Mack Lobell. Sylvester’s other victories came with Chip Chip Hooray in 2002 and Park Avenue Joe (in a dead heat with Probe) in 1989.

 

 It was been eight years since Sylvester has had a serious contender for the Hambletonian. “Well, we tried to retire,” Sylvester quipped. “My wife wanted to go to Vegas. We spent four years out there, so now I'm back working.”

If Cassis is victorious in the Hambletonian, Ray Schnittker will be the first trainer to win both the Hambletonian and million-dollar Meadowlands Pace in the same season. Schnittker’s One More Laugh won the Meadowlands Pace on July 17. The trainer is bidding for his second Hambletonian win after taking the 2008 edition with undefeated Deweycheatumnhowe, whom he also drove.
Cassis won his Hambletonian elimination by 1-1/4 lengths over Temple Of Doom in a career-best 1:52.4, the fastest clocking among the three winners. The son of Cantab Hall has won eight of 10 races this year and been no worse than second. He is listed as the 7-2 second choice and will be driven by Tim Tetrick, who also piloted One More Laugh.

2010 HAMBLETONIAN DAY AT A GLANCE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7Post time: 11:35 a.m.; Gates open: 9:30 a.m.
www.thehambletonian.com

· $1,500,000 million Hambletonian [3yoct] * Race 10 - Post time: 3:43 p.m.
· $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks [3yoft] * Race 9 - Post time: 3:09 p.m

· New web site: www.thehambletonian.com
· NBC Broadcast * 3 to 4 p.m. -- The $1.5 million Hambletonian, and its companion event, the Hambletonian Oaks for fillies, will be broadcast live on NBC Sports. The Hambletonian remains the only harness race to be nationally televised by one of the four major networks.
· Live broadcasts: WFAN 66 AM, hosted by Marc Malusis, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
· Special Wagering Options: $100,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 [races 7-10]; Pacing Pick 4 [races 12-15; no guarantee]; Pick 6 [races 5-10] and 10-cent Superfectas on the entire Hambletonian Day card. Advance wagering begins at 12 p.m. on Friday, August 6.
· Music: The Nerds, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Paddock Park
· Parade: On-track parade at 10:10 a.m., featuring the Willow Grove Clydesdales, Passaic High School Marching Band, 2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, NJ Mounted Police, Medieval Times Knights and Horses, past Hambletonian winners and much more!
· Autograph Session: The stars of harness racing will sign autographs in Paddock Park from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
· Giveaways: All paid admissions receive a free 2010 commemorative Hambletonian baseball cap. Children receive a Hambletonian lunch bag (both while supply lasts).
· Family Fun: Clydesdale pony rides, carnival games, amusement rides, giant slide, face painting and more!
· Supporting Stakes: Merrie Annabelle [2yoft], Peter Haughton Memorial [2yoct], Nat Ray [FFA trot], Perretti Matchmaker [Mare Trot], Mistletoe Shalee [3yofp], US Pacing Championship [FFA pace], Lady Liberty [Mare Pace] and Oliver Wendell Holmes [3yocp]Kings Super Markets Food Drive: Donate a non-perishable food item to the Community Food Bank of NJ and receive free admission and a coupon for a baseball cap.

 

(Meadowlands)