2026 Hambletonian Card
Quote from Lonnie on August 4, 2026, 5:30 PMI just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
I just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 5, 2026, 7:22 AMQuote from Lonnie on August 4, 2026, 5:30 PMI just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
@lonnie If Jailbird Jog was in the Oaks or Perfect Thought in her stake race, then likely your (our) excitement level would be different. Nevertheless, we get another matchup between the great older pacing mares, aged trotting horses, and great storylines in the Hambo.
Would love to see a stretch battle develop among Apex, Endurance and Big Ranger. My friends at Spring Haven in Ohio bred, raised and sold the latter, so part of me will be pulling for him despite the barn move. Now, if Ronnie was being interviewed this week in the run up, it would have been must see TV.
As it is, my sentiments go with Chris Beaver and Endurance. Beaver can have one racing in the Hambo on Saturday, yet be driving one of his problem two year old trotters at a fair in Ohio next week ( and finish well up the track as he works thru some issues with the baby).
And Melander’s outfit may be the most professional in the business in the manner in which his horses are trained. He certainly deserves his Hambo if he comes out on top.
Celebrate the day, hope for good weather and may all the horses and drivers come off the track healthy.
Quote from Lonnie on August 4, 2026, 5:30 PMI just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
@lonnie If Jailbird Jog was in the Oaks or Perfect Thought in her stake race, then likely your (our) excitement level would be different. Nevertheless, we get another matchup between the great older pacing mares, aged trotting horses, and great storylines in the Hambo.
Would love to see a stretch battle develop among Apex, Endurance and Big Ranger. My friends at Spring Haven in Ohio bred, raised and sold the latter, so part of me will be pulling for him despite the barn move. Now, if Ronnie was being interviewed this week in the run up, it would have been must see TV.
As it is, my sentiments go with Chris Beaver and Endurance. Beaver can have one racing in the Hambo on Saturday, yet be driving one of his problem two year old trotters at a fair in Ohio next week ( and finish well up the track as he works thru some issues with the baby).
And Melander’s outfit may be the most professional in the business in the manner in which his horses are trained. He certainly deserves his Hambo if he comes out on top.
Celebrate the day, hope for good weather and may all the horses and drivers come off the track healthy.
Quote from Purple Aura on August 5, 2026, 12:21 PMAlso leaning Endurance. Here's a interview with Da Beav.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BIkLEE-wz8
Also leaning Endurance. Here's a interview with Da Beav.
Quote from Lonnie on August 5, 2026, 12:37 PMQuote from Bgtolex25 on August 5, 2026, 7:22 AMQuote from Lonnie on August 4, 2026, 5:30 PMI just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
@lonnie If Jailbird Jog was in the Oaks or Perfect Thought in her stake race, then likely your (our) excitement level would be different. Nevertheless, we get another matchup between the great older pacing mares, aged trotting horses, and great storylines in the Hambo.
Would love to see a stretch battle develop among Apex, Endurance and Big Ranger. My friends at Spring Haven in Ohio bred, raised and sold the latter, so part of me will be pulling for him despite the barn move. Now, if Ronnie was being interviewed this week in the run up, it would have been must see TV.
As it is, my sentiments go with Chris Beaver and Endurance. Beaver can have one racing in the Hambo on Saturday, yet be driving one of his problem two year old trotters at a fair in Ohio next week ( and finish well up the track as he works thru some issues with the baby).
And Melander’s outfit may be the most professional in the business in the manner in which his horses are trained. He certainly deserves his Hambo if he comes out on top.
Celebrate the day, hope for good weather and may all the horses and drivers come off the track healthy.
You're right. Even though I don't own a piece of either it would have added an extra level of interest.
I will have a good time. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 5, 2026, 7:22 AMQuote from Lonnie on August 4, 2026, 5:30 PMI just saw the card. It feels underwhelming to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on.
I'll be there though. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Anyone else coming?
As soon as the program is available I'll post it here along with a handicapping challenge.
@lonnie If Jailbird Jog was in the Oaks or Perfect Thought in her stake race, then likely your (our) excitement level would be different. Nevertheless, we get another matchup between the great older pacing mares, aged trotting horses, and great storylines in the Hambo.
Would love to see a stretch battle develop among Apex, Endurance and Big Ranger. My friends at Spring Haven in Ohio bred, raised and sold the latter, so part of me will be pulling for him despite the barn move. Now, if Ronnie was being interviewed this week in the run up, it would have been must see TV.
As it is, my sentiments go with Chris Beaver and Endurance. Beaver can have one racing in the Hambo on Saturday, yet be driving one of his problem two year old trotters at a fair in Ohio next week ( and finish well up the track as he works thru some issues with the baby).
And Melander’s outfit may be the most professional in the business in the manner in which his horses are trained. He certainly deserves his Hambo if he comes out on top.
Celebrate the day, hope for good weather and may all the horses and drivers come off the track healthy.
You're right. Even though I don't own a piece of either it would have added an extra level of interest.
I will have a good time. I'm looking forward to meeting @niekh!
Quote from Lonnie on August 7, 2026, 9:32 AMLast night at Yonkers Raceway, in race four on the program, there was a two-horse accident on the final turn that involved My Man Peter, driven by Jason Bartlett, and Full Of Muscles, driven by Scott Zeron. Yonkers Raceway reported that both drivers were transported from the track to the hospital via ambulance following the incident.
From what I am reading, Scott Zeron suffered two back fractures and will be out of action for a few weeks. He will obviously be missing from tomorrow's card and the Hambletonian.
Last night at Yonkers Raceway, in race four on the program, there was a two-horse accident on the final turn that involved My Man Peter, driven by Jason Bartlett, and Full Of Muscles, driven by Scott Zeron. Yonkers Raceway reported that both drivers were transported from the track to the hospital via ambulance following the incident.
From what I am reading, Scott Zeron suffered two back fractures and will be out of action for a few weeks. He will obviously be missing from tomorrow's card and the Hambletonian.
Quote from Lonnie on August 7, 2026, 1:04 PMTrot Insider has learned that David Miller will drive It Could Be Worse in the Hambletonian, while Yannick Gingras gets the call for trainer Marcus Melander on Nezuko Kamado S.
Trot Insider has learned that David Miller will drive It Could Be Worse in the Hambletonian, while Yannick Gingras gets the call for trainer Marcus Melander on Nezuko Kamado S.
Quote from Purple Aura on August 7, 2026, 1:06 PMWow, that sucks. Hope both those guys recover quickly.
Wow, that sucks. Hope both those guys recover quickly.
Quote from Lonnie on August 7, 2026, 1:08 PMMore changes:
Due to the accident at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday which will sideline both Jason Bartlett and Scott Zeron for Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands (Aug.8), 29 horses will need new drivers on the Saturday card. Below are the changes as we have them. This will be updated as new information arrives.
Race 1: (1) Denarius – Matt Kakaley; (6) Sharp Seven - TBD
Race 2: (1) Presidente – Andrew McCarthy
Race 3: (4) Sweet Lovin Lou - TBD
Race 4: (4) Kingmen – Andrew McCarthy; (6) Inexpressable – Matt Kakaley
Race 5: (6) Fifth And Five – James MacDonald; Neverstopdreamin N – (Brett Beckwith)
Race 6: (5) Creamy Armitage – TBD; (10) Rio De Janeiro – Matt Kakaley
Race 7: (3) Green Pastures – Todd McCarthy; (7) Sir Pinocchio - TBD
Race 8: (2) Aetos Kronos S – James MacDonald (likely); (5) French Wine – Andrew McCarthy
Race 9: (2) Nezuko Kamado S – Yannick Gingras; (3) Custom – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
Race 10: (6) Bravo Angel As – Brett Beckwith; (10) Delaney Hanover – Matt Kakaley
Race 11: (2) It Could Be Worse – David Miller; (9) Spencer Hanover - TBD
Race 12: (2) Women Layer – TBD; (4) Captain Optimistic – Andrew McCarthy
Race 13: (2) Coaches Corner – Tim Tetrick; (6) Catalpa Rescue A - TBD
Race 14: (1) Louies Girl N – Andrew McCarthy
Race 15: (2) Fabulous Hanover – Yannick Gingras; (3) Car Keys – TBD
Race 16: (2) Handsome Stranger – TBD; Betting On Caesar - TBD
More changes:
Due to the accident at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday which will sideline both Jason Bartlett and Scott Zeron for Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands (Aug.8), 29 horses will need new drivers on the Saturday card. Below are the changes as we have them. This will be updated as new information arrives.
Race 1: (1) Denarius – Matt Kakaley; (6) Sharp Seven - TBD
Race 2: (1) Presidente – Andrew McCarthy
Race 3: (4) Sweet Lovin Lou - TBD
Race 4: (4) Kingmen – Andrew McCarthy; (6) Inexpressable – Matt Kakaley
Race 5: (6) Fifth And Five – James MacDonald; Neverstopdreamin N – (Brett Beckwith)
Race 6: (5) Creamy Armitage – TBD; (10) Rio De Janeiro – Matt Kakaley
Race 7: (3) Green Pastures – Todd McCarthy; (7) Sir Pinocchio - TBD
Race 8: (2) Aetos Kronos S – James MacDonald (likely); (5) French Wine – Andrew McCarthy
Race 9: (2) Nezuko Kamado S – Yannick Gingras; (3) Custom – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
Race 10: (6) Bravo Angel As – Brett Beckwith; (10) Delaney Hanover – Matt Kakaley
Race 11: (2) It Could Be Worse – David Miller; (9) Spencer Hanover - TBD
Race 12: (2) Women Layer – TBD; (4) Captain Optimistic – Andrew McCarthy
Race 13: (2) Coaches Corner – Tim Tetrick; (6) Catalpa Rescue A - TBD
Race 14: (1) Louies Girl N – Andrew McCarthy
Race 15: (2) Fabulous Hanover – Yannick Gingras; (3) Car Keys – TBD
Race 16: (2) Handsome Stranger – TBD; Betting On Caesar - TBD
Quote from Lonnie on August 7, 2026, 6:03 PMNext year back at DuQuoin? I doubt it. But one never knows. I'd lay odds on The Red Mile in Lexington, KY. Or, back at The Meadowlands.
Next year back at DuQuoin? I doubt it. But one never knows. I'd lay odds on The Red Mile in Lexington, KY. Or, back at The Meadowlands.
