Meadowlands: Big three clash in Hambletonian

The most anticipated race on the United States standardbred calendar is the Grade 1 Hambletonian. While the hype is always at a fever pitch, the storylines for the 101st edition of America’s Trotting Classic are busting at the seams following last week’s elimination races.

Big Ranger, who burst on the national scene with an electric four-length elimination round romp, seeks to become the first-ever foal of a standing Ohio stallion to win the Hambletonian while Apex and Endurance were incredibly raised and sold by Hunterton Farm for $525,000 and $14,000, respectively, proving that potential champions aren’t tied to sales price.

For Big Ranger, the 2-1 morning-line favorite from post four in Saturday’s Hambletonian, not even stallion manager Kevin Greenfield, who originally purchased 75% of his sire In Range back in late fall of 2021, could have predicted such Grand Circuit success for his foals.

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“I had no doubt that [In Range] would make an impact in Ohio but I am surprised by his national-level success because who expects it to happen outside of when you stand the very top horses that have all the credentials,” said Greenfield, who added that the best may be yet to come from In Range. “The people that supported him from the start were mostly Ohio people with their own mares. The first three years were expected to be pretty modest. This year he bred a tremendous crop of mares. The future is really good and astute breeders know he is a sire now.”

Big Ranger posted a perfect 7-for-7 season as a 2-year-old in Ohio under the care of trainer/driver Ronnie Gillespie, who handled the horse for his first four starts of 2026 before owner Madison Global moved him to Anette Lorentzon’s barn. Since that time the Spring Haven Farm-bred colt has gone on to not only break the Scioto Downs track record with a 1:50 3/5 win on June 13 but also equal the Hambletonian stakes mark (1:50) set by Nordic Catcher S in last year’s final. Perhaps scarier still from the perspective of Saturday’s foes are the words from driver Tim Tetrick.

“He did everything I asked; push-button. He has big lungs and he was never even close to being tired,” said Tetrick about the elimination effort where he never even pulled the horse’s ear plugs. “He set the track record at Scioto and he’s the fastest trotter in that state. And the way he did it was so easy. Like if I wanted him to, he’d have gone in [1:] 48 that night.”

At this point the praise for Big Ranger is becoming universal. Even rival trainer Chris Beaver (Endurance) is drawing parallels with a great trotter from the past.

“When I watch him go, he reminds me of Muscle Hill. I don’t know that he’s a horse that can be raced a lot of different ways, but he’s definitely got the go to him,” said Beaver.

As confident as Tetrick is in Big Ranger’s raw ability, he is very much aware that winning the Hambletonian is far from an easy accomplishment. Despite being part of the field since 2007, the driver has only one win in 2012 with Market Share. Four times he has settled for second (2008 Crazed; 2013 Smilin Eli; 2021 Spy Booth; 2023 Oh Well).

“It’s going to be a tough race and I’m going to have to have a lot of luck. I’ve been in a lot of these Hambletonians and only won one. It’s a very, very tough race to win,” said Tetrick.

As evident as Big Ranger’s pure speed is, he will need his best to deal with the sheer determination of his new rivals Apex and Endurance. They hooked up in a separate elimination and each put in a huge effort. Endurance never saw the pylons starting from the outside post nine and eventually gained cover from Apex, who was forced to take air while first-over for the final half mile. In the end only a nose separated them at the finish in a 1:50 4/5 clocking.

Being together is nothing new for Apex and Endurance. They were born four days apart at Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunteton Farm. They grew up together, spent time in the fields of the Kentucky farm together and were even sold at the Harrisburg sale on the same day in 2024.

“They are like two peas in the pod since birth,” said Steve Stewart. “This is probably the first time it has happened [two foals raised together racing in the final] in the history of the Hambletonian.”

It is a remarkable accomplishment for Hunterton, which could pick up its fourth Hambletonian champion as breeder with a victory. For the Stewarts, it is all about what happens on the track, not the sale.

“Everybody always talks about having a great sale and sure it is important to pay the bills, but the racetrack is our ultimate determiner of how we are doing. These horses are our kids,” said Steve Stewart.

Thus far Apex has gotten the best of Endurance in two meetings for owners Jeff Snyder, S R F Stable and Steve Stewart. The Dan Patch Award winner as 2025’s top 2-year-old male trotter entered this season as the Hambletonian Winterbook favorite, and despite offering 5-2 odds as the second choice in Saturday’s contest from post three, he’s done little to tarnish his reputation. The royally bred son of Walner and Mission Brief has lived up to his breeding and $525,000 price tag as a yearling, winning nine of 13 career starts and three of four this year.

Regular driver Dexter Dunn is seeking his first Hambletonian behind Apex and was thrilled with his elimination effort. “It was a big mile for him. I was only in for an eighth [of a mile]. He fought off Endurance and it’s been three weeks since his last run. He’s going to step up further,” said Dunn, who also commented on the lack of early speed the colt has displayed. “He really can do whatever you want with him. Apex has never done anything in his career to say I wouldn’t have 100% confidence in him during the mile no matter what I did with him.”

Also seeking his first Hambletonian victory is trainer Marcus Melander, and not only does he have Apex but also American Power (post 10, 10-1) and Spencer Hanover (post nine, 20-1) in the field. Could 2026 be his time after finishing second in three of the last four Hambletonians?

“Most people don’t even get to the Hambletonian eliminations, and if they get to the final a lot of people are just happy to be in it, and I am too. Of course it sucks to be second, so you’re the first loser, right? But I’m proud of my horses who have finished second,” said Melander. “Of course you want to win but you don’t look back. I just look forward.”

The 34-year-old trainer who also has three horses in the $500,000 Grade 1 Hambletonian Oaks on Saturday, said he would pull the hind shoes on Spencer Hanover and all four shoes on American Power in an effort to improve them for the final. Apex, however, is the top dog of the group and Melander is hoping he’s checked all the boxes.

“We had a three-week break between the Dancer and the [Hambletonian] elimination. I think this race will move him forward a lot,” said Melander. 

Getting back to Endurance, the $14,000 Harrisburg purchase has produced an exponential return on investment for Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger. The son of Captain Corey has earned $873,842 already in just 14 career starts and according to trainer Chris Beaver, had a legitimate excuse – minor hoof injury that occurred the Monday before the race – for falling a neck shy in his elimination.

“He was sore for a few days. He was better the last couple days, but it was in his mind, you know, he was thinking about it. Typically it wouldn’t bother him even a couple days later, but he’s a smart horse. He takes care of himself and he was aware of it,” said Beaver, who made sure driver Andrew McCarthy was cognizant of the situation. “I don’t think he pushed him as hard as he could, knowing that. But you know, I was super thrilled. This is the first time he’s really jumped up to that level and showed what he can do, parked every step of the mile.”

Beaver feels Endurance will be 100% for the Hambletonian final when he leaves from post seven as the 5-1 third choice on the early line. While the trainer has been here before with Il Sogno Dream (4th in 2014) and Triumphant Caviar (8th in 2009), he knows this opportunity is not like the others.

“I don’t get an opportunity like this too often. I’ve raced here before, but not with a horse that’s got a super-legit shot,” said Beaver. “If you ask me my number one bucket list item, as a trotting trainer winning [the Hambletonian] is the highest thing on my list.”

Beyond the top three Hambletonian contenders and the two previously mentioned Melander trainees there are still five other horses with designs for getting at least a nice chunk of the $1,000,000 purse. Included in that group is It Could Be Worse, second behind Big Ranger after getting trapped along the cones until the stretch.

“He’s got great tactical speed. We used it, sat third and shook loose very, very late,” said Scott Zeron, who picked up the drive from Tim Tetrick. “At least eight out of the 10 could trot in [1:]50 on any given day, so we’re going to see who’s the grittiest, and I like my horse.”

It Could Be Worse starts from post two for trainer Linda Toscano, who is seeking her second Hambletonian (2012, Market Share).

“We’ve had our hopes for this race since day one. You only get one shot at it so that’s what he’s been prepped for. I never wanted to leave the Meadowlands and I planned the exact schedule he’s been on,” said Toscano at the post position press conference.

Magic Punk finished just inches behind It Could Be Worse in their elimination with Yannick Gingras driving for trainer Ake Svanstedt. The son of Wishing Stone has good tactical speed to use from post eight but his trainer is very realistic about his win chances.

“[Magic Punk is] not good enough to beat the good horses here, but we can hope for a check,” said multi-time Hambletonian winner Svanstedt, who praised Big Ranger. “He is an impressive horse. I think he is the one who looks best.”

Others in the field include Minoan (post one), Captain Naughty (post five) and AI (post six).

The Hambletonian (race 11) is the marquee event on a stacked program with nine graded stakes that begins at noon on Saturday. It is scheduled to go to post at 4:51 PM.

Other highlights are the $500,000 Grade 1 Hambletonian Oaks (Race 9) and a string of guaranteed wagers: $125,000 Pick 4 (Races 8-11), $100,000 Pick 4 (Races 11-14), $75,000 Pick 5 (Races 3-7) and $50,000 Pick 6 (Races 1-6).