Harness: Melander embarks on the Road to the Hambletonian

The officially documented road to the Hambletonian began on April 27 for the Marcus Melander barn, with four of his eligibles to the classic race on the track at The Meadowlands to get their first taste of racing life as 3-year-olds.

Two of the three considered to be his top guns – Gimpanzee and Greenshoe – were in action with the third amigo – Green Manalishi – scheduled to make his debut during the May 4 9:00 a.m. session of qualifiers at The Meadowlands.

Coming off a perfect 9-for-9 season were he took home the Dan Patch award as the best 2-year-old trotting colt in the United States, Gimpanzee certainly sits atop the potential candidates for the Hambletonian in many eyes. After sitting last in a field of six for the majority of his qualifier, the son of Chapter Seven trotted home willingly with a 28-second final quarter to finish fifth as part of a 1:58 3/5 mile with Brian Sears in the bike.

“It was a nice easy qualifier for him,” said Sears. “He doesn’t try to overdo it; he goes about his business. It was a windy, tough day out there and I just wanted to take it easy on him.”

While the effort was far from eye-opening, Melander was pleased. “Maybe he didn’t look so fancy, but he looked good and we were really happy with him as well,” said Melander.

Gimpanzee is entered to qualify again on Saturday at The Meadowlands before heading off to New York for his first stakes engagements of the year either in Sire Stakes or the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations on May 17 at Vernon Downs.

As impressive as Gimpanzee was in 2018, Greenshoe gave notice during his Saturday morning qualifier that he could be a force to be reckoned with when the Hambletonian rolls around on August 3. After settling in behind the leader for the opening quarter, Sears moved Greenshoe to the lead before the half and he sprinted quarters of 27 4/5 and 28 1/5 to win by 25-1/2 lengths in 1:54 1/5.

“He’s a really talented horse,” said Sears. “It was a really good mile. He was well in hand and I was just trying to not do too much with him.”

Blessed with immense natural ability, the problem for Greenshoe has always been poor manners. In four starts as a 2-year-old he broke every time, often prior to the start, though he did recover to win two of those races. In his return qualifier, the son of Father Patrick was for the most part a gentleman, only throwing his head slightly behind the gate but able to keep himself in proper position and not shying away from the moving starting car.

“Every good experience without him making a break is a step in the right direction and we both get more confidence in each other. Hopefully he just keeps maturing,” said Sears.

Melander acknowledged the behavior behind the gate and mentioned an equipment change that seems to be working.

“He started out doing that at home in the beginning when we put the brain cord on, so it was good actually that he felt it. I don’t think he’ll do it again. We’ve been training all winter. We’ve been here a couple of times training and he’s been really behaving himself. I think he just tried it out, but I don’t see that as a problem,” said Melander. “He feels more mature. He respects you more when you drive him. I’m really happy with how he has developed during the winter.”

While his stablemates will be qualifying on Kentucky Derby Day, Greenshoe will get a week off before making a second appearance on May 11 to get another educational charted mile. Then he will compete in the New Jersey Sire Stakes and perhaps stay put in the state straight through the Hambletonian.

“We’ll keep him here and if he behaves, maybe we just keep him here until the Hambletonian. In June, we’ll miss a couple of races, but if he behaves, they’ll have problems to catch him. He’s definitely the fastest of my 3-year-olds,” said Melander.

Melander also sent out two other trotting colts on April 27, with Gerry going wire to wire in 1:56 3/5 with Melander driving and Demon Onthe Hill finishing fourth about 10 lengths back in the same mile.

“Gerry, I was very happy with him. He behaved himself,” said Melander, who will send the colt off to Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at The Meadows on May 11.

With three months still standing between Melander and a potential appointment at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day, much can happen. If all goes as planned, the 27-year-old conditioner could be holding a powerful hand in one of the biggest races in the world.

Qualifier Notebook

The wind was brutal during the 12-race morning session, even for The Meadowlands, which is typically windy on any random day. Trainer John McDermott said it was probably the worst he’s seen it in 20-plus years at the track. He added that his potential top 3-year-old pacer Hurrikane Emperor is entered to qualify on Saturday and he’ll race in New Jersey Sire Stakes at The Meadowlands in late May.

Retired Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter was watching from Trotters. He said taking a step back from everyday training has been a great decision and he certainly looked well rested. He’s in town keeping a watchful eye over the 2-year-olds as they prepare to baby-race and will head off to Sweden for another trip in June.

Yonkers International Trot winner Cruzado Dela Noche qualified in good order, setting up camp in the three-hole and simply following The Veteran in the stretch with no interest in trying to pass. He wound up finishing 6-1/4 lengths behind Atlanta in a mile that was better than it looked on paper.

“It was another good tightener for him. I was happy with him,” said driver Brian Sears, who will sit behind the 7-year-old from post 3 in the Cutler Memorial at The Meadowlands on May 4.

The horse that defeated Cruzado Dela Noche was 2018 Hambletonian winner Atlanta and she certainly looked spectacular in that 1:52 3/5 clocking with Yannick Gingras in the bike for new trainer Ron Burke, who made a big equipment change for her 4-year-old debut.

“I don’t know why she was wearing hobbles to begin with, she doesn’t need them,” said Burke when asked why he removed the trotting hobbles on the mare. The trainer added that the gaiting straps aren’t permitted in Europe, perhaps hinting that Atlanta could take a shot at the big events overseas in 2019 or beyond.

Atlanta makes her 2019 debut from post 5 in the $100,000 Distaff at Miami Valley on Monday.

In addition to Atlanta, Burke sent out two other extremely impressive winners. Captain Victorious, recently purchased by a group of eight led by Burke Racing Stables LLC, rolled to a 1:51 1/5 triumph. The 3-year-old colt by Captaintreacherous won three times in 10 starts as a freshman for trainer Julie Miller. He starts on Saturday at The Meadows in the third of three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes events with Matt Kakaley driving from post 6.

The fastest effort of the morning was turned in by the Burke-trained 4-year-old Done Well. After a 28 1/5 opening quarter into the wind, he sprinted the middle half in 54 2/5 before wrapping up a 1:50 4/5 win.

“Done Well has trained back great this year. I’m expected him to have a big year,” said Burke.

Done Well leaves from post 4 in the second of two 12-horse Graduate legs at The Meadowlands on May 4.