With the 2023 Hambletonian just a few weeks away, Ken Warkentin’s “Road to Hambletonian” has seen a shift in the rankings, with Air Power taking control of the top spot. Coming off an impressive second place finish in last week’s Reynolds division, Air Power is turning heads with his performance and is among the favorites to win the event.
The 2023 Hambletonian is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The race is one of the most important events of the year in the world of horse racing with the Hambletonian (Open) having a $1.2 million purse. While the Hambletonian Oaks has a purse of $600,000.
Below you will be able to find Ken Warkentin’s “Road to Hambletonian” Week Six.
Rank | Horse | Driver, Trainer, Owner | Ken Warkentin’s Comments | |
1 | Air Power (Muscle Hill) | Mattias Melander, Marcus Melander, Amg Stable Inc., Rick Wahlstedt, Kenneth Kjellgren, Heights Stable | Won his 3YO debut in 1:52.1, upset Ari Ferrari J in a 1:51 NJSS division, then took the NJSS Final in a career best 1:50.4, rallied from a tough spot in :25.3 to finish second in a Reynolds division | |
2 | Special Way (Walner) | Ake Svanstedt, Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld | Dan Patch Award winner, three-for-three in 2023 (10 in a row) with a career best 1:51.4 in the NJSS Final, scratched out of a JUly 1 Big M qualifier with a minor issue & qualifies in a couple of weeks | |
3 | Kierkegaard K (Chapter Seven)
| Ake Svanstedt, Knutsson Trotting Inc. | Wire-to-wire in 1:53 NYSS, equaled the Vernon Downs all-age track record of 1:50.3 in an EBC division, dominated a Yonkers Trot elimination in 1:54.3, broke/sixth in the Final, reportedly hit his knee, he’s fine & connections agree he’s more of a big-track horse | |
4 | Bond (Southwind Frank)
| Ake Svanstedt, Little E, L. Berg Inc. | Prolific filly finished 2022 with six straight wins, three-for-three this season, wire-to-wire in PA Allstars @ Pocono in 1:52.3, lowered her mark to 1:51.4 in PASS @ Pocono, dominated a Reynolds division from post eight in 1:53.1 (:26.4) |
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5 | Up Your Deo (Walner) | Ake Svanstedt, Suleyman Yuksel Stables, Deo Volente Farms, Van Camp Trotting Corp. | Broke his maiden in his 3YO debut @ The Big M from post 11 in 1:52 in the slop, third going first over in the NJSS Final, set a track record of 1:53.1 in a Yonkers Trot elimination, won Final in 1:53.3 | |
6 | Celebrity Bambino (Muscle Hill) | Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, Burke Racing Stable, J & T Silva Stables, Knox Services, Phil Collura | Breeders Crown elimination winner at two, deadheated for fourth in the NJSS Final, fresh off the bench rallied in :26.3 to take a new mark of 1:51.3 in a Reynolds division | |
7 | Oh Well (Muscle Hill) | Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, S R F Stable | Won 2022 NJSS Final in 1:53.1, Mohawk Million & NJ Classic A Final, second (1:52.2) in 3YO debut, just missed in 1:52, second again in the NJSS Final, second (1:51.4) in a Reynolds division | |
8 | Southwind Coors (Walner) | Scott Zeron, Matthew Bax, Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, David Richard Hudson, Craig Wilson | Just one for 11 as a 2YO, yet has matured into a Goodtimes winner in 1:52, second (1:52.1) by a neck to Gaines Hanover in his elimination, then nosed out that rival in the final | |
9 | Volume Eight (Chapter Seven) | Andrew McCarthy, Noel Daley, Sjoblom Racing, Joe Sbrocco, LA Express & JAF Racing, Mario Mazza, Winning Key | Dan Patch Award winner, second [1:56.2) in June 14 qualifier @ Magical Acres, third (1:54.4) in a June 24 qualifier 19 @ Big M, finished fifth (1:53.4) in his 3YO debut | |
10 | Kilmister (Chapter Seven)
| Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant, Inc. | 2022 Peter Haughton Memorial winner, third placed second (1:53.2) to Kierkegaard K in NYSS season debut, third (1:53.3) in a NYSS division @ Tioga Downs, took a mark of 1:52.4 in an Empire Breeders Classic 1st division, post three in Zweig Memorial | |