‘Dancer’, Major Prep for the Hambletonian

Over the years, the “Dancer” has played a major role in predicting the field for the Hambletonian eliminations and the final.

In 2010, 17 horses from three divisions of the Dancer competed in the Hambletonian eliminations. Eight of them went on to the final. The 2010 winner, Muscle Massive, won this before the Hambletonian. The runner up, Lucky Chucky, finished second in the Dancer. Third-place finisher Wishing Stone finished fifth in the Dancer.

In 2009, 12 horses from two divisions of the Dancer competed in the Hambletonian eliminations. Five of them went on to the final. One of them was 2009-winner Muscle Hill. Runner-up Explosive Matter finished second in the Dancer. Third-place finisher Calchips Brute finished fifth in the Dancer.

On Saturday, July 16, 14 Hambletonian hopefuls will square off in the $332,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands.

The first division features the likes of Live Jazz (Andover Hall), Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall), Whit (Classic Photo), Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide), Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide), Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall) and Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall). Of those seven, the one to watch will be Charlie De Vie. Since Pastor Stephen and Broad Bahn are in here, “Charlie” will be underbet.

The second division brings Mythical Hall (Andover Hall), Evil Urges (Cash Hall), Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy), Big Rigs (Andover Hall), Big Sky Storm (Classic Photo), Mr Web Page (Muscles Yankee) and Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster) to the scene.

Of that septet, Evil Urges will be the outsider. He surprised us in the Yonkers Trot, where he finished third to Leader Of The Gang and Del Cielo. He is making his Meadowlands debut at three and may do well from the 2 post.