Harness: Joviality S to race in the Hambletonian

Already with a win over male foes in this year's MGM Yonkers Trot, Joviality S will have the opportunity to do the same thing on the first Saturday in August, as her connections have decided to race the daughter of Chapter Seven-Pasithea Face S in the Hambletonian rather than the Hambletonian Oaks.

"We are doing it to have a chance to beat the colts. Of course the purse is bigger as well, but beating the boys can make a horse an immortal," said trainer Marcus Melander, who added that everything has to go right with the filly before entry time of the Hambletonian.

Joviality S, who is owned by Courant Inc. and was bred by Courant's AM Bloodstock Inc., raced on Saturday night at the Meadowlands and won her division of the Del Miller Memorial over last year's Dan Patch Award winner Venerable in a career-best clocking of 1:50 2/5. Melander is aware she'll likely have to drop even more time given Rebuff clocked a sub-1:50 mile in a split of the Stanley Dancer for the colts and geldings, but he has faith that she can accomplish that task.

"We wouldn't do it if we didn't think she had a shot. She's done everything right," said Melander. "She 100 percent is capable of going 1:49 [and change]. Just because she didn't do it the other night after a slower half doesn't mean she can't. Rebuff will be hard to beat, but I'm confident that she's as fast as him."

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In addition to sending out Joviality S, Melander is planning to have other horses in both the Hambletonian and the Oaks. Melander is expecting to take one filly - Peyton Hanover - to the Oaks and three colts to the Hambo - Temporal Hanover and Periculum and perhaps one more.

"Temporal was right next to Rebuff last time, and Periculum had a tough first-over trip and still finished in 27 1/5 in a 1:50 2/5 mile. They are both nice horses, but we realize Rebuff is the horse to beat."

--quotes by Derick Giwner--