07/31/2012 2:47PM

Hambletonian: Uncle Peter chooses rail for $1.5 million final

By Derick Giwner
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Chris Gooden
Uncle Peter is the 5-2 favorite for Saturday's $1.5 million Hambletonian.

Post positions for the 87th Hambletonian were drawn at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Tuesday and the field is inside heavy.

Trainer Jimmy Takter, after a few moments of thought, chose post 1 for the likely Hambletonian favorite Uncle Peter. The son of Cantab Hall was installed as the 5-2 early choice to capture the $1.5 million final on Saturday.

“I think he is the most gifted 3-year-old trotter I’ve been around,” said Takter, who will also send out Guccio (8-1) from post 7.

[HAMBLETONIAN: Watch race previews, see Saturday's full card LIVE]

Fellow elimination winner Knows Nothing (7-2) was first to chose his post. Regular driver Jody Jamieson selected the 3-hole for the once beaten (8 starts) colt.

“He just explodes off the gate,” said Jamieson. “He is like a pacer.”

The Winner of the fastest elimination (1:52 2/5), Market Share (4-1) was second of the three eliminations winners to pick and chose post 2.

“He seems to be prepping pretty well coming into the race,” said trainer Linda Toscano.

Rounding out the group of horses below 10-1 on the early line is Yonkers Trot winners Archangel. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. will guide him away from post 4.

The complete field for the $1.5 million Hambletonian with post positions, odds and listed drivers can be found below.

Favorite stick out in Oaks

In what looks like a match race on paper, the $714,050 Hambletonian Oaks will feature heavy chalk Check Me Out and her arch enemy Maven.

After winning their eliminations last week, both fillies were able to choose their starting slots and will line up alongside one another. Check Me Out starts from post 2 as the 4-5 morning-line favorite while Maven gets post 3 at 5-2 odds.

Win Missy B (8-1) drew post 7 and is the only other participant in single digits.

Post time for the 15-race card at the Meadowlands on Saturday is noon.

 

$1.5 Million Hambletonian - Race 12 - Post 4:42 p.m.

POST HORSE LISTED DRIVER MORNING LINE
1 UNCLE PETER R. PIERCE 5-2
2 MARKET SHARE T. TETRICK 4-1
3 KNOWS NOTHING J. JAMIESON 7-2
4 ARCHANGEL J. MORRILL,JR. 9-2
5 MY MVP M. LACHANCE 15-1
6 PRESTIDIGITATOR S. FILION 12-1
7 GUCCIO J. TAKTER 8-1
8 STORMIN NORMAND D. PALONE 15-1
9 MONEY ON MY MIND A. MILLER 15-1
10 GYM TAN LAUNDRY G. BRENNAN 30-1

$714,050 Hambletonian Oaks - Race 11 - Post 4:13 p.m.

POST HORSE LISTED DRIVER MORNING LINE
1 SUPERSTAR HANOVER J. TAKTER 15-1
2 CHECK ME OUT T. TETRICK 4-5
3 MAVEN Y. GINGRAS 5-2
4 PERSONAL STYLE D. MILLER 12-1
5 UNCOMMON NIGHT G. BRENNAN 15-1
6 REAL BABE R. SCHNITTKER 20-1
7 WIN MISSY B B. SEARS 8-1
8 DREAM ON HANOVER G. BRENNAN 30-1
9 HOLIER THAN THOU R. PIERCE 20-1
10 SASSY SYRINX J. MORRILL JR. 30-1

 

DONNELLY More than 1 year ago
Haven't done the Manhattan to Meadowlands trip for a while, but there used to be a bus from the Port Authority bus terminal directly to the Meadowlands. Port Authority is at 42nd & 8th. You can exit Penn at the 8th Avenue side, and then it is less than a 10 minute walk to Port Authority.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Can anyone help me with this question. I plan on coming to the meadowlands Saturday by train from Albany to Penn Station. What is my best way to get the Meadowlands from Penn station via public transportation? Thanks!
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
Sorry I can't help you because I'm not local to this area, but that's not my main response. Take the *4/5 horse and use that money to pay for your cab ride home instead and it's probably quicker and easier than Subway home. Just a thought, however, the *4/5 horse (Take Me Out) in the Oaks is very solid favorite that should win as advertised. Good luck!