In just a few short days horses will be entered for the 100th Hambletonian. As officials plan for a day that we'll remember forever, the current crop of 3-year-olds is shaping up to deliver a show of their own, with a handful of legitimate upper-echelon contenders followed closely by a number of fringe players with just enough innate ability to break through on North America's biggest Standardbred stage. After a quick glance over the 95 colts and geldings eligible to enter the Hambletonian eliminations set for Saturday, July 26 at the Meadowlands, I felt reasonably confident that we will see somewhere between 18 and 22 horses seeking to plop down the $15,000 necessary to compete. Of course, that wasn't good enough and I had to dig deeper. So, I searched every eligible horse to see how they were racing to make a more informed determination on how many horses we could see in the elimination round. My research revealed 33 total horses that could conceivably declare to the Hambletonian prior to the 9:00 a.m. deadline on July 22. The original number was 34, but trainer Jim Campbell confirmed that the speedy yet erratic Mr Walner Fashion wouldn't be ready in time. Of course many of the horses on my list are much more likely to enter than others. Following my homework session, the new working theory is that 16-18 horses are definite to enter, another four to six are likely and then, who knows? Let's take a look at the possibilities: THE UPPER TIER EMOTICON LEGACY - He is perfect in three starts and owns stakes wins in the Goodtimes and Zweig. The Luc Blais trainee has done nothing wrong. SUPER CHAPTER - He is undefeated in 2025! The argument can be made that he hasn't been tested, but you can only beat the horses who are entered against you. MARYLAND - Always a bridesmaid and never a bride so far in three starts for him, though you can't help but feel like they haven't pulled out all the stops yet and the only race that matters is the Hambletonian. GO DOG GO - Three starts and three wins this year, including bettering Maryland last time in the Stanley Dancer with a 1:50 4/5 mile. He may have the fastest burst of speed in the group. MONSERRATE - Had no chance of beating Super Chapter in the Dancer after that one raced on an uncontested lead. Still, he took a major step forward by finishing second in a 1:50 4/5 mile. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter ON THE CUSP FASHION GREEN - Son of Greenshoe is undefeated in six career starts and stepped up to win a PASS last time at Philly in 1:52 3/5. Jim Campbell trains this untested yet clearly talented gelding. GAP KRONOS S - Was just fifth in the Dancer but that hardly seemed like his "A" effort. I expect much more for the Hambletonian elimination. MAXIMUS MEARAS S - Made his 2025 debut in the Stanley Dancer and dropped two seconds off his qualifier while finishing fourth. He has some catching up to do but the task is not insurmountable. ONAJETPLANE - He was second in the NJSS final but has yet to take the step to the next level. He'll get a chance to pick up some confidence in the Tompkins-Geers on Saturday at the Meadowlands. MR MOUTON - He is lightly-raced but certainly showed he belongs last time with a 1:52 2/5 win at the Meadowlands. With just four career starts his future is still very bright. NORDIC CATCHER S - Ake Svanstedt charge has proven he can chase and keep up with any of these but needs to find that next gear to succeed on the first Saturday in August. LANDING ON TIME - Was third in the Goodtimes behind Emoticon Legacy and recently blew out a 1:51 1/5 win for trainer Rick Zeron at Woodbine Mohawk Park. That seemed like a statement mile that says he's ready for more. THE ROGUE PRINCE - This guy was under the radar until a recent 1:51 2/5 victory at Pocono on July 14. He's now won two of three starts on the year and seems ready to test the best. FRINGE PLAYERS GALEN ERSO - Erratic colt has dealt with breaking problems but also displayed enough ability to be considered. On Wednesday (July 16) at Grand River he was used early, settled in third, brushed to the front and gamely held off the 3-5 chalk in a 1:54 1/5 statement mile. GRANDE VIA - Not sure I expect him to show up in the eliminations, but it wouldn't be a surprise either. He has competed with others on this list favorably this year. HIDALGO - Was fourth in the Dancer and really hasn't stepped forward yet in 2025. Maybe trainer Ron Burke has a few tricks up his sleeve (removing shoes, etc.) to get this guy to step up. MESHUGGAH - Finished third in the Zweig but made a break last time. He needs to behave and find more speed to compete in the eliminations. TOP GUN HANOVER - Was second behind Hidalgo in the NJSS final on June 13 but hasn't fared as well since. The barn is struggling at 0-for-25 over the last four weeks at the Meadowlands and two-for-43 since June 1, so it is hard to know if we've seen the best of him lately. TRAVOLTA HANOVER - He has gone the wrong way after some success earlier in the year. He'll need to turn things around Saturday at the Meadowlands to earn his ticket. VARIEGATED - Has been second behind Chat Room and Super Chapter so far this year. On the surface that makes him a fit, but his Dancer effort was poor. It is probably more likely that we don't see him in the Hambo. GO AHEAD MAKEMYDAY - This is one of those horses where you see the ability is there, but he's his own worst enemy and perhaps too aggressive at times. His last effort was one of his best and he's entered on Saturday at the Meadowlands. CHAT ROOM - Won the Empire Breeders Classic but wasn't able to drop enough time to compete in the Zweig. He's in-to-go at the Meadowlands on Saturday to get one final prep. BLANK - Third behind Super Chapter and Monserrate in the Dancer. Trainer Marcus Melander needs to find a couple more seconds in him. GIMPANZEE DANCER - He owns a 1:52 1/5 win at The Meadows and that alone says he might be deserving, but he couldn't make any noise in Kentucky Sire Stakes action.