North American News - Dexter Dunn wins the Hambletonian with Apex

Dexter Dunn added the biggest prize in North American harness racing to his remarkable career when Apex (Walner) captured the US$1 million Hambletonian at The Meadowlands.

Dunn controlled the race from the front aboard the Marcus Melander-trained colt before surviving a desperate late challenge from Big Ranger, with the pair separated by a nose at the finish.

The 1:49.2 performance established a Hambletonian stakes record and gave both Dunn and Melander their first victory in America’s great trotting classic.

For Dunn, who has won virtually every major prize since establishing himself among North America’s elite drivers, the Hambletonian carried special significance.

“The Hambo is the race everybody up here wants to win,” Dunn said after the victory.

The Hambletonian Society caught up with the champion New Zealand reinsman following the race to get his reaction to finally capturing the one he wanted most.

Stars assemble for $300,000 Dan Patch

Attention now turns to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday night where 11 of North America’s leading older pacers will clash in the US$300,000 Grade 1 Dan Patch Stakes.

Seven millionaires feature in a field boasting almost US$15 million in combined earnings.

Local favourite Little Rocket Man has drawn the coveted inside gate as the 10-year-old makes his fifth attempt at the Dan Patch. He enters in winning form after recording his 87th career victory at Hoosier last week.

He will be joined by fellow Indiana star Coach Stefanos, while several leading pacers arrive from Hambletonian Day competition at The Meadowlands.

Women Layer heads to Indiana after his 17-1 upset in the Sam McKee Memorial, while Bythemissal, Captain Optimistic, Fallout and Huntinthelastdolar also make the trip from The Meadowlands.

Dunn will partner Captain Optimistic, who starts from post six for trainer Nancy Takter.

The 2026 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with trainers and listed drivers, is as follows:

1. Little Rocket Man (Rockin Image) – Ken Rucker – Kyle Wilfong
2. Crack Shot (Bettor’s Delight)– Gregg McNair – Doug McNair
3. Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside) – Ron Burke – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
4. Dandy Ideal (American Ideal) – Hunter Oakes – Tyler Buter
5. Coach Stefanos (Tellitlikeitis) – Erv Miller – Marcus Miller
6. Captain Optimistic (Captaintreacherous) – Nancy Takter – Dexter Dunn
7. Prince Hal Hanover (Captaintreacherous) – Dr. Ian Moore – Todd McCarthy
8. Fallout (Captaintreacherous) – Ron Burke – Tim Tetrick
9. Harrisburg Heist (Downbytheseaside) – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
10. Huntinthelastdolar (Huntsville) – Per Engblom – Yannick Gingras
11. Women Layer (Sweet Lou) – Virgil Morgan Jr. – David Miller

The Dan Patch headlines a major Hoosier Park program which also includes the inaugural US$100,000 Grade 3 Rockin Nola for pacing mares, where Dunn drives Three Times Bettor for Brett Pelling.

 

by Bevan Greig for Harnesslink