Smedshammer lands 2-4-6

Mr. Pine Chip is the 7-5 favorite in this year’s $1.5 million Hambletonian Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands, and will leave from post six—the most successful post since the trotting classic began an open draw for the final in 1997.

Ten heavyweights of this year’s sophomore trotting class will line up behind the gate in the trotting classic, with former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, now a Standardbred owner himself, lined up to present the trophy. Post positions were drawn at a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Big M, and trainer Trond Smedshammer’s three charges drew posts two, four and six.

Landing the three hole was Smedshammer’s Blue Mac Lad, the New Jersey Sire Stakes final winner who finished third behind Mr. Pine Chip in their respective elimination. Here Comes Herbie, who won the second elim with Smedshammer driving, drew post four. Mr. Pine Chip and Brian Sears will leave from the six hole, which has been a three-time winning post in the past 10 Hambo renewals.

The draw wasn’t so favorable to both defending divisional champion Chocolatier and Glidemaster, both finishing second in their respective Hambo elims. The two were the last names drawn, and Glidemaster drew the eight hole. Chocolatier was the last name drawn out of the box and the only number left at that point was the outside 10 post.

“Well, we could have done better,” said trainer and co-owner Doug Ackerman with a laugh.

Brian Sears has driven Mr. Pine Chip his last two starts, winning both the Stanley Dancer Memorial final and the Hambo elim, and he has once again been giving the driving assignment for the final.

“I haven’t really got him tired in both starts I drove him,” said Sears. “(Winning the Hambletonian) would cap off a couple of good years.”

As for possible pre-race strategy, Sears noted the outside posts of both Glidemaster and Chocolatier. “I think they will be involved and I think that I will also have to be involved.”

Here is the complete draw for the $1.5 million Hambletonian:

PP Horse (driver) Morning Line
1 Algiers Hall (John Stark Jr.) 20-1
2 Blue Mac Lad (George Brennan) 8-1
3 Capetown Hall (David Miller) 15-1
4 Here Comes Herbie (Trond Smedshammer) 9-2
5 Global Glide (Ron Pierce) 30-1
6 Mr. Pine Chip (Brian Sears) 7-5
7 Berto Primo (Cat Manzi) 15-1
8 Glidemaster (John Campbell) 5-1
9 Race Fan (Steve Smith) 20-1
10 Chocolatier (D.R.Ackerman) 4-1

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