Trotters on Hambo road

A trio of Trond Smedshammer trainees--Mr. Pine Chip, Blue Mac Lad and Here Comes Herbie--moved into the top three spots on this week’s Road to the Hambletonian. The $1.5 million Hambletonian will be contested Aug. 5 at the Meadowlands.

“All three trained great, and they won’t race until the Stanley Dancer eliminations,” said Smedshammer. “Mr. Pine Chip is the least complicated of them. He did more last year and maybe has an edge. I’m glad I went the Pocono Downs route with him and gave him nice confidence builders. He’s all set to face the big boys.”

Mr. Pine Chip made it three-for-three in 2006 at Pocono Downs, winning a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in 1:56.2 Friday, June 23.

Blue Mac Lad drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory in last week’s New Jersey Sire Stakes Final in a career best 1:54. “He’s been finishing real strong in his last couple of starts,” noted driver Brian Sears. “He’s more mature and sounder than he was last year but still has a few issues,” said Smedshammer.

Here Comes Herbie had the week off. “He’s a very fast and athletic horse, but not as well mannered,” said Smedshammer. “He’s healthy and the time off between races is by design.”

Chocolatier had the week off and was entered in a non-wagering event at the Meadowlands on June 29. Make You Mine rallied from far back to finish second from post nine in the NJSS Final. Keystone Savage was parked out and faded to eighth in the NJSS Final. Boardwalk Hall finished a game second to Race Fan on June 22 and faces Chocolatier on June 29.

Glidemaster had the week off. “Glidemaster was more maneuverable in the Goodtimes Final,” noted John Campbell. “He’s got the kind of ability to be a Hambletonian type as long he learns how to get handier.”

Race Fan added trotting hobbles and rebounded off two consecutive breaks to win a non-wagering event at the Meadowlands on June 22 in career best of 1:54.4. RC Royalty made his 2006 debut a winning one in 1:59 in a New York Sire Stakes at Buffalo Raceway on June 24.

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