Three newcomers on Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian
East Rutherford, NJ— Karl and TCI remain 1-2, but three harness racing newcomers vault into Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian in Week 4. Highland Kismet debuts at #3 after a stakes record performance in the Goodtimes. Situationship takes the fifth spot after going two for two in the NYSS and EBC. Bright Star makes the list at #7 after a score in a Meadowlands overnight.
| Rank | Horse | Driver, Trainer, Owner | Ken Warkentin’s Comments | |
| 1 | Karl
(Tactical landing) |
Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter, Christina & Nancy Takter, Black Horse Racing, Crawford Farms Racing, Bender Sweden Inc. |
Dan Patch Award winner, $1M freshman kicked off his 3YO season with an effortless three-ply NJSS series sweep (new mark of 1:51 in final), trained sharply @ Big M on June 14, returns in a few weeks |
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| 2 | T C I
(Cantab Hall) |
Dave Miller, Ron Burke, Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., Weaver Bruscemi |
O’Brien Award winner set earnings record for freshman trotters with $1,238,870 (12 – 10-2-0), two-for-two this season, won 1:52.2 PASS division @ The Meadows & PASS division in 1:53.3 @ Pocono Downs, did not race last week/not in to go |
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| 3 | Highland Kismet
(Father Patrick)
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Bob McClure, Mark Etsell, Highland Thoroughbred Farm | Unraced at two, a “project horse” for 2023 O’Brien Award winning trainer Mark Etsell has come bursting on the scene winning four of five @ Mohawk, cruised to a Goodtimes stakes record equaling 1:51.3 for 2019 Hambo winning driver Bob McClure, not in to go | |
| 4 | Security Protected
(Father Patrick) |
Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, Mitchell Friesen, Brad Grant, Order By Stable AB | 1:53 PA All-Stars win in 3YO debut, wire-to-wire in 1:53.3 PASS division @ The Meadows, won a PASS division @ Pocono Downs in 1:54.2, did not race last week/not in to go | |
| 5 | Situationship
(Chapter Seven) |
Ake Svanstedt, Knutsson Trotting Inc, Little E, Tomas Anderson | Developed into a Grand Circuit player as a freshman, two-for-two this season, won divisions of NYSS & EBC, both in a career best 1:52.1 @ Vernon Downs, not in to go | |
| 6 | Daiquiri Hanover
(Bar Hopping) |
Ake Svanstedt, Stable Why Not, Tomas Anderson | Valley Victory runner up finished a solid second to T C I in his 3YO debut, Svanstedt a two-time Hambo winner & third in 2023, did not race last week, post four in a Big M overnight on June 21 | |
| 7 | Bright Star
(Muscle Hill) |
Scott, Zeron, Tony Alagna, Brittany Farms, Pryde Stables Inc, Caviart Farms, Plouffe & Riverview | Romped in a NJSS division in 1:52.1, fourth in NJSS Final, posted a decisive score in a Big M overnight on June 14 in 1:52.1 with three-time Hambo winner Scott Zeron, not in to go | |
| 8 | Mars Hill
(Muscle Hill) |
Todd McCarthy, Tony Alagna, Willow Oak Ranch | Kicked off 3YO season with a second in both legs of NJSS, broke/ninth from post eight in NJSS Final, rallied to upset older foes with career best 1:53 in Big M overnight on June 14, not in to go | |
| 9 | Benny J
(Walner) |
Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna, Kenneth Jacobs | Broke his maiden with a 1:53 NJSS decision over stablemate Mars Hill, then third to Waterfall & second to Karl in NJSS Final, beaten favorite faded to eighth in Big M overnight on June 14, not in to go | |
| 10 | Waterfall
(Walner) |
Todd McCarthy, Tony Alagna, Brittany Farms, Al Libfeld | Second by a nose in his NJSS 3YO debut, rallied for a 1:52 win deadheat in Leg 2, then fifth in NJSS Final, fourth after a tough trip in Big M overnight on June 14, not in to go | |
by Ken Warkentin, for The Meadowlands
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