Hambo Hopefuls Dancing

On Saturday, July 16, fourteen Hambletonian eligibles squared off in two divisions of the $332,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands. Also, 11 Hambo eligibles went to post in the $201,812 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) at Pocono Downs.              
In the first “Dancer” division, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide) went off at 13-1 based on his dull running trip the week before when he was beaten by Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide). This week, however, “Man” was all out, in stride and drew away from the field to win it.

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) got second, while Dejarmbro, the only non-eligible, was placed third as “Charlie” went off stride and was disqualified for not losing ground after a break.

Off the board were Live Jazz (Andover Hall), Whit (Classic Photo), Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall) and Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall).

The second Dancer division did more to cloud the Hambletonian picture, as Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy) made his first start of the year a big one, fooling no one wagering as the 4-5 choice. He beat Big Rigs (Andover Hall), who had a smooth-gaited night like Man, and Big Sky Storm (Classic Photo) got the show money.

Off the board were Mythical Hall (Andover Hall), Evil Urges (Cash Hall) and Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster).

In the first PASS division, Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar) won, with Orlando (Andover Hall) second and Fort Valley As (Tom Ridge) third.

“Valley” took the lead, with Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall) in second and Orlando was first over in third. “Magnum” got cover from Orlando, in fifth. Unabating (Broadway Hall) went on a break. Swan In A Million (Andover Hall) went on a break entering the stretch.

Magnum took command at the three-eighths, while Orlando sat in second and Valley was shuffled to third. “Buffalino” came first over at three-quarters, challenging Valley for third. In the stretch, it was Magnum and Orlando dueling it out to the wire and Magnum was able to hold off Orlando by a nose. Valley finished third. Unabating, Buffalino, Del Cielo (Broadway Hall) followed.

In the second division, Opening Night (Broadway Hall) won, with Just In (Andover Hall) finishing second and Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar) was third. Onirique took command, with pressure from Bambino Hall (Tom Ridge) and Sevruga sat third. In the stretch, “Bambino” gave way, while “Opening” circled three wide and took command. Opening drew away, while “Just” gave chase in second and Fawkes was closing in third. Opening won, with Just finishing second and Fawkes was third. Bambino finished seventh.