Like father, like son?
Co-owner/trainer/driver Ray Schnittker hopes so when he sends out Dewycolorintheline in this afternoon’s $1.2 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Schnittker scored his only Hambletonian victory in 2008 with Deweycheatumnhowe, the sire of Dewycolorintheline.
Dewycolorintheline is the only colt in the field with the chance to become a triple-crown champion after capturing the $450,000 Yonkers Trot last Saturday at Yonkers Raceway.
“He needs a lot of things to go his way,” said Schnittker of Dewy’s chance to capture the second jewel in the trotting triple crown. “I probably like [Caveat Emptor] better if I can keep his mind on business. He probably has more talent.”
Dewy is listed at 8-1 on the morning line in the first of three Hambo eliminations. Caveat Emptor (20-1), another son of Deweycheatumnhowe, is in the second elim.
For the first time since 1996, the eliminations and final for the Hambletonian will be raced on the same day, but unlike typical heat racing, a horse does not have to win twice, just in the final.
“It’s our best day, why are we messing with it?” Schnittker said of the change in format.
The Hambletonian final has a 4:41 p.m. estimated post time and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network starting at 3 p.m. The stakes-filled 15-race card starts at 11:50 a.m.
Whitney Invitational Handicap
Fort Larned will be a clear favorite when he faces seven opponents in today’s $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.
The 5-year-old winner of the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be trying to win consecutive runnings of the 1 ¹/-mile Whitney and comes off an impressive victory in the June 15 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Only Discovery, who won this race three times from 1934 to 1936, has won consecutive runnings of the Whitney.
“He’s coming into the race great. To win back-to-back Whitneys would be quite an accomplishment,” said Ian Wilkes, who trains Fort Larned for owner Janis R. Whitham. “To stay in good form and be able to have a chance to do that says something about the horse.”
Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride Fort Larned, who will carry high weight at 122 pounds. He faces an accomplished group that includes Ron the Greek, runner-up in the 2012 Whitney.
* Silverette moved to the lead with more than a furlong left and held off a late bid by Spun Cap to win the $100,000 Caress Stakes for fillies and mares by a neck yesterday at SaratogaRace Course.
Robby Albarado rode the Dale Romans-trained 4-year-old, who ran 5 1/2 furlongs over turf in 1:01.27. She earned $60,000 for owner Paul Pompa Jr. and paid $9.40, $4.90 and $3.40.
Spun Cap returned $4.90 and $3.10. Madame Giry, third of 10, paid $2.70 to show.
— With AP