Eighteen Fillies Fight In Set of ‘Oaks’ Elims; Colts Undergo Final Hambo Preparations

The two eliminations for the 2017 renewal of the Hambletonian Oaks are set for the Saturday, July 29 program at the Meadowlands, with two sets of glamour-boy trots on the undercard featuring potential starters for the $1.5-million Hambletonian.

Ariana G, who has demonstrated her superiority over the division all season, controls elimination one. The most probable return in this race would come from securing some sort of exotic with contenders such as Dream Baby Dream, who is improving leading up to this race, or even Treviso, who would be tremendous value if ignored, considering her unbeaten record on the Pennsylvania circuit this season.

If left a high enough price, too, Treviso could be a valid win contender, as she is bound to improve moving to the bigger track, and has a racing style that will be complemented by Ariana G’s style.

Elimination two could have scattered wagering, with Magic Presto, That’s All Moni, Overdraft Volo and Feed Your Head all having the potential to be sent off as the public choice. Being the weaker of the two elims, an upset is more probable as the field is fairly leveled.

Shipping in off a lackluster effort against older horses at Philadelphia, Caviart Wonder is bound to excell in her move to the big track. Racing well on the Pennsylvania circuit before a slew of poor starts, now would be the prime time for her to catapult to victory as a long shot.

Colt trotters compete earlier in the card in a $15,000 event that lines up a field of seven Hambo eligibles. Another Open affair, we can hope that Shake It Off Lindy is ignored off his seemingly unimpressive mile in the Stanley Dancer, as he could be value if the public swarms towards Jake and, more likely, Rubio, off a swift-closing effort in the Stanley Dancer.

A group of 10 Hambo hopefuls, sans Yes Mickey, line up for the $49,580 Grand Circuit Reynolds Trot, also on the Saturday program. Again, with a field featuring no decisive favorite, we are left to potential value in three trotters: Bill’s Man, who has the most class in the field, Southwind Hydro, who has the most potential making his second start off a layoff, and Fly On, who has the most excuses including a first-over effort in the Tompkins last week.

Of the three, Bill’s Man should be the most likely to take the most play off of his speed but the betting remains easily predictable.

Finally, Hambo eligibles Snowstorm Hanover, Lucky Matter, Moonshiner Hanover, Simply Volo and Phi Alpha compete in a $45,000 division of the Arden Downs Saturday afternoon at the Meadows. With Moonshiner Hanover likely to be sent off the favorite, watch Lucky Matter at a possibly decent price off a good mile in the Pennsylvania All-Stars going first over to eventually finish fourth. This is a similar group but easier than those he has faced in the past.

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The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.