Not all trainers have to face similar obstacles in bringing top sophomore trotters to the pinnacle of harness racing''s elite stakes in the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks. Trainer Luc Blais, who in 2019 captured his first Hambletonian in an upset with Forbidden Trade, had to maneuver earlier this year just to give his well-bred stock a chance to be at the Meadowlands on the final Saturday in July and hopefully the first in August. "In April, with Canada shut down, we made the decision to ship to the States," said Blais, who suggested the early move gave him ample time to prepare his horses. At the same time the trainer, who had the benefit of conditioning his horses just 10 miles from Woodbine Mohawk Park last year, was quite aware of how a similar fate impacted U.S.-based horsemen in 2020 when his juveniles were a dominant force in Ontario's biggest races. "It was easy for me, but I know how tough it was on the American trainers to have horses up here at the time and not be connected to them," said Blais. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter On Saturday, Blais arrives with three sophomores for elimination races, with two fillies entered in a pair of $35,000 eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks and a colt in one of the two $50,000 eliminations for the Hambletonian. On paper, Donna Soprano appears to give Blais his best chance of reaching the big dance and perhaps be one of the favorites for the $500,000 Oaks final on August 7. "We had some issues with her earlier in the year, but I was very happy with her last two starts," said Blais of the daughter of Donato Hanover that enters the Oaks trials off a sharp 1:51 3/5 victory in a division of the Del Miller Memorial on July 17 at the Meadowlands. Earlier this year, Blais had used Bob McClure to guide all of his stakes-caliber horses, as the Ontario-based driver made the move while Canada's races were shut down. With McClure now back in Ontario, Blais has called upon Dan Dube to guide his stock. "Bob has got a lot of opportunity to race in Ontario," said Blais. "Dan has driven for me, and I like to stick with one driver." Donna Soprano drew the rail in the ninth race and second Hambletonian Oaks division and needs a top-five finish to make the final, but without question will be eying a victory that comes with post position preference for the final. There is plenty of talent in this field, and trainer Erv Miller may have arrived with a top talent in Swift Swanda (post three), a winner four times this year in five starts while racing in Indiana. Swift Swanda qualified in 1:52 3/5 last Saturday (July 24) at the Meadowlands in preparation for the Oaks. Blais has never been shy about showing up at the Meadowlands with a horse or two that doesn't appear to have a chance on paper but then far out-performs on the racetrack. My Abigail (post three) could be just that type in the first Hambletonian Oaks elimination. "She's got to step up," said Blais of the assignment. "I've been happy with her last few starts." A $350,000 yearling, Blais confided she did not have the conformation necessary to go with stakes horses last year but has turned the corner in 2021. "I thought her last race was good considering she had missed three weeks," he said. My Abigail will need to pick up her game if she's to advance to the final. The Bar Hopping-sired filly is sandwiched between last year's Breeders Crown champion Lady Chaos (post four) and this year's budding star Bella Bellini (post two) in the 10-filly field. Last year, On A Streak was a surprise 15-1 winner of the William Wellwood Memorial, earning him a spot in the rich Mohawk Million where he finished third. The son of Cantab Hall would later pull off another surprise, capturing the Breeders Crown at Harrah's Hoosier Park at 9-1. While surprises were part of his freshman season, On A Streak has not been able to put together that magic as yet for Blais in 2021, but the trainer thinks he's getting it together. "We had some bad luck at Yonkers," Blais said of the break in the Yonkers Trot. "I thought last week was his best race so far. He stayed right with the winner down the stretch." On A Streak was second behind Ambassador Hanover as that one captured the Tompkins-Geers at the Meadowlands in wire-to-wire fashion. On A Streak will need to be a little better this Saturday if he's to reach the $1 million Hambletonian on August 7. Entered in the first $50,000 elimination (race six) with him is the top-rated Dancinginthedark M (post seven), as well as the talented Cuatro De Julio (post one). The aforementioned Ambassador Hanover (post five) is one of two Ake Svanstedt-trained colts in the field, along with Delayed Hanover (post three). Adding depth will be trainer Marcus Melander's Sonofamystery (post six), a 1:50 2/5 winner in a Stanley Dancer division on July 17. Yonkers Trot winner Johan Palema (post three) is the likely choice in the second Hambletonian elimination, going as race 10. The Hambletonian and Oaks eliminations card kicks off at 6:20 p.m. with the first of 13 races.