Meadowlands: Gimpanzee gigantic in Hambletonian Maturity blowout

Gimpanzee and Brian Sears overcame post 13, as well as a solid field, to capture the $464,900 Hambletonian Maturity for 4-year-old trotters in rather easy fashion Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The son of Chapter Seven covered the mile and one eighth distance in 2:05 4/5 as the 3-5 betting choice.

There was a great deal of action in the early stages as Marseille and driver Ake Svanstedt blasted out from post eight to loop many of the horses going into the first turn. Last year's Hambletonian Oaks champion When Dovescry was away in good position as well for David Miller through the hot 26 second opening quarter.

Southwind Avenger and Andrew McCarthy were parked three-eighths of a mile before clearing to the front, and that was Miller's cue to send the lone mare in the field to the top. When Dovescry got to the half in 55 2/5 and was soon joined on even terms when Yannick Gingras and Kings County made a power move to try to gain control. When Dovescry and Kings County were locked in battle through much of the final turn as Forbidden Trade attempted to keep with cover second-over and Sears sat third-over in the flow, waiting to make his move.

When Dovescry shook off pressure and secured the lead in the early stretch, but after passing the mile marker in 1:52 2/5 the mare, making her first start this year, began to tire. Sears and Gimpanzee were in full flight three-wide and easily powered on in the stretch to win convincingly. Last year's Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade was pushed hard by driver Scott Zeron and just held down the place spot on the wire, holding off a wicked rally by Soul Strong and driver Dexter Dunn. When Dovescry would settle for fourth, with Don't Let'em crossing the wire fifth but doing so while on a break, thereby losing the position. The judges moved Kings County up to fifth and Reign Of Honor to sixth in the official order of finish.

Trained by Marcus Melander, the two-time Breeders Crown champion Gimpanzee was a winner for the 21st time in his career and is now unbeaten in four 2020 starts. Owned by Courant Inc. and S R F Stable, Gimpanzee returned $3.40 as the public choice.

"I thought Scott (Zeron aboard Forbidden Trade) would be a good one to follow," said Sears. "I had to move him on the turn, but he's such a class animal."

The victory pushed Gimpanzee's lifetime earnings over the $2 million mark.

Sears is looking ahead to racing Gimpanzee against older foes and spoke of the attributes required to compete.

"He'll need a trip against those horses but he's so handy," said Sears.