Air Power Moves into Third Spot in Week 2 of Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian
The 2023 Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 5
Meadowlands Racetrack - East Rutherford, NJ
Air Power makes the biggest jump in Week 2 of the Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian after his NJ Sire Stakes win in a career best of 1:51.4.
#1 Volume Eight
Andrew McCarthy, Noel Daley, Sjoblom Racing, Joe Sbrocco, LA Express & JAF Racing, Mario Mazza
Dan Patch Award winner, fastest 2YO male trotter of 2022 [1:52], five-race winning streak, including the Valley Victory & Kindergarten Classic Final, scheduled to qualify June 14 @ Magical Acres, then June 23 @ Big M, first start July 1, plan is Hambo will be his fifth
#2 Special Way
Ake Svanstedt, Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld
Dan Patch Award winner, richest 2YO female trotter of 2022 with $697,475, made it three-for-three this season & 10 in a row with a career best 1:51.4 in the NJSS Final
#3 Air Power
Andrew McCarthy, Marcus Melander, Amg Stable Inc., Rick Wahlstedt, Kenneth Kjellgren, Heights Stable
Made only three starts at two, won his 3YO debut in 1:52.1, came right back to upset Ari Ferrari J in a 1:51 NJSS division, then shook loose late to capture the NJSS Final in a career best 1:50.4
#4 Oh Well
Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, S R F Stable
Won 2022 NJSS Final in 1:53.1, Mohawk Million & NJ Classic A Final & banked $748,380, second (1:52.2) in 3YO debut, just missed in 1:52, then finished second again in the NJSS Final
#5 Bond
Ake Svanstedt, Little E, L. Berg Inc.
Filly finished 2022 with six straight wins, including PASS Championship, Kindergarten Classic & Goldsmith Maid, took a mark of 1:52.3 & banked $587,264, wire-to-wire from post eight in PA Allstars division @ Pocono on June 4 in a career best 1:52.3
#6 Up Your Deo
Ake Svanstedt, Suleyman Yuksel Stables, Deo Volente Farms, Van Camp Trotting Corp.
Broke his maiden in his 3YO debut from post 11 in 1:52 in the slop, upsetting Oh Well, finished third going first over in the NJSS Final, one of three for Team Svanstedt & Walner in Top 10
#7 Tactical Approach
Scott Zeron, Nancy Takter, Robert Leblanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing
Won two qualifiers & first two starts as a 3YO, including a 1:52.1 NJSS division, third with a :25.4 in the slop on May 20, forced wide off dull cover in a deadheat for fourth in the NJSS Final
#8 Kilmister
Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant, Inc.
2022 Peter Haughton Memorial winner, third placed second (1:53.2) to Kierkegaard K in NYSS season debut on May 29, drew the rail in a NYSS division @ Tioga Downs on June 9
#9 Walner Payton
Dexter Dunn, Chris Ryder, Kenneth Jacobs
Dominated NJSS Final at two, mark of 1:52.2 in ISS division @ The Red Mile, won her 3YO debut in 1:51.4, second to Special Way, then finished third in the NJSS Final
#10 Celebrity Bambino
Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, Burke Racing Stable, J & T Silva Stables, Knox Services, Phil Collura
Breeders Crown elimination winner in 1:53.2, second (1:52.2) in his 3YO debut, then fourth (1:52.3), stung early in a deadheat for fourth in the NJSS Final
road to the hambletonian playlist
KEY PREP RACES
Hambletonian Eligibles in Caps
| Date | Stakes | Site | Winner | Driver | Trainer | 2nd Horse | 3rd Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6 | Dexter Cup | Fhld | Khaosan Road | Scott Zeron | Ake Svanstedt | ESPRESSO | Candy Bomber | 1:57.4 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | WALNER PAYTON | Dexter Dunn | Chris Ryder | BLONDE BOMBSHELL | SECRET VOLO | 1:51.4 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | AIR POWER | Tim Tetrick | Marcus Melander | Ari Ferrari J | Dire Straits | 1:51 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | SPECIAL WAY | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | MAMBACITA | CHECK HER OUT | 1:53.1 |
| May 13 | NJSS 1st Leg | M | TACTICAL APPROACH | Scott Zeron | Nancy Takter | OH WELL | CELEBRITY BAMBINO | 1:52.1 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | SECRET VOLO | Brian Sears | Marcus Melander | MAMBACITA | Tactical Mounds | 1:53.2 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | SPECIAL WAY | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | WALNER PAYTON | BLONDE BOMBSHELL | 1:53.4 |
| May 20 | NJSS 2nd Leg | M | UP YOUR DEO | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | OH WELL | TACTICAL APPROACH | 1:52 |
| May 29 | NYSS 1st Leg | V | Cecil Hanover | Mark MacDonald | Ake Svanstedt | THE GRUFFALO | CROWN | 1:52.3 |
| May 29 | NYSS 1st Leg | V | KIERKEGAARD K | Mark MacDonald | Ake Svanstedt | KILMISTER | TILLIO’S ACTION | 1:53 |
| June 2 | NJSS Final | M | AIR POWER | Andrew McCarthy | Marcus Melander | OH WELL | UP YOUR DEO | 1:50.4 |
| June 2 | NJSS Final | M | SPECIAL WAY | Ake Svanstedt | Ake Svanstedt | SECRET VOLO | WALNER PAYTON | 1:51.4 |
| June 3 | PASS 1st Leg | Mea | FATHER STOSH | Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. | Jill Roland | CHAMBA | Commander Frank | 1:53.4 |
| June 3 | PASS 1st Leg | Mea | Spitfire Overseas | Scott Zeron | Megan Scran | HERODOTUS | Khaosan Road | 1:53.2 |
| June 3 | PASS 1st Leg | Mea | Saint Louie | Dave Palone | Ake Svanstedt | ONCE IN A LIFETIME | Sintra De Vie | 1:54 |
| June 9 | NYSS 2nd Leg | TD | ||||||
| June 9 | Goodtimes Elims | Moh | ||||||
| June 9 | Goodtimes Elims | Moh | ||||||
| June 17 | Goodtimes Final | Moh | ||||||
| June 17 | Currier & Ives | Mea | ||||||
| June 17 | Currier & Ives | Mea | ||||||
| June 16 | EBC | V | ||||||
| June 16 | EBC | V | ||||||
| June 18 | Goodtimes Final | Moh | ||||||
| June 23 | Yonkers Trot Elims | Y | ||||||
| June 23 | Yonkers Trot Elims | Y | ||||||
| June 30 | Yonkers Trot | Y | ||||||
| July 1 | Reynolds | M | ||||||
| July 1 | Reynolds | M | ||||||
| July 2 | PASS | Phl | ||||||
| July 2 | PASS | Phl |
