Hambo draw will have Fireworks

[Papillon]

Yannick had choice of Pinkman and Mission Brief and picked wrong. I predict dexter takes Maryland barring he draws 9-10 holes.  I think Zeron sticks with Maximus Meras.  Meshuggah gets some swedish import and Super Chapter gets anyone but Tetrick or David.  I guarantee they will not let those two drive Super Chapter.  Depending on where Maryland draws he's going right down the highway as hard and as fast as he can.  Let him get loose on the lead and you will never catch him.  I think they will be straight alignment at the 1/4 OR if someone is parked they are going to be taking major air because Dexter won't let anyone go and will send him on a speed mission.  First three starts mean nothing and Dexter played the long game along with Melanders.  He's got one race to win and one time to empty the tank.  Saturday he will be ready to launch.

very bold prediction

I agree Maryland's best chance is to blast away and not yield

if DD does choose Maryland that would mean Super Chapter isn't that dominant over this group

several posters across many threads keep mentioning Maryland even though he is 0-4 this year

must be that BC win last year that makes him attractive

[Bernie Madoff]

Yannick had choice of Pinkman and Mission Brief and picked wrong.  I predict dexter takes Maryland barring he draws 9-10 holes.  I think Zeron sticks with Maximus Meras.  Meshuggah gets some swedish import and Super Chapter gets anyone but Tetrick or David.  I guarantee they will not let those two drive Super Chapter.  Depending on where Maryland draws he's going right down the highway as hard and as fast as he can.  Let him get loose on the lead and you will never catch him.  I think they will be straight alignment at the 1/4 OR if someone is parked they are going to be taking major air because Dexter won't let anyone go and will send him on a speed mission.  First three starts mean nothing and Dexter played the long game along with Melanders.  He's got one race to win and one time to empty the tank.  Saturday he will be ready to launch.

I'm not sure of the strategy, but I think Maryland is the winner if Dexter is driving.

[Meadow Ford]

Anybody remember the Pelling Quote when his driver opted off one of his horse in the final of The Little Brown Jug?
This was several years ago.

The one I remember best is Mike LaChance getting the drive on Shady Character and winning the Jug.
I believe it was Pierce's choice.

I think that was the race.
After the race Pelling was quoted as saying something like.
"We bring them (catch drivers) to the dance we don't have to dance with them"!

[SDST2009]

very bold prediction

I agree Maryland's best chance is to blast away and not yield

if DD does choose Maryland that would mean Super Chapter isn't that dominant over this group

several posters across many threads keep mentioning Maryland even though he is 0-4 this year

must be that BC win last year that makes him attractive

I would not be at all surprised if Dex sticks with Maryland. It was not just his BC win last year - the horse ran the table last year. He finished strong this week. If Dex does go with SC it should tell the public a lot.

[SeattleSlew]

If Dexter intended to drive Maryland he would have won his elimination to insure a decent PP.  However, if his head was thinking Super then the late drive of Maryland to the line becomes much better understood ;>>)

[Chips N Salsa]

Getting news that a driver that already has a horse in the final will pick off for what ever horse DD does not choose.  I know who but don't wanna spoil the surprise.....LOL

[Call Sign Merlin]

Getting news that a driver that already has a horse in the final will pick off for what ever horse DD does not choose.  I know who but don't wanna spoil the surprise.....LOL

Andy M seems like an obvious choice.  He has been driving some for Melander and has Blank in the final which is also a Melander horse.

Would leave Blank and Meshugga needing drivers.  Could see JMac getting one if he is in town.

[The Answer]

Getting news that a driver that already has a horse in the final will pick off for what ever horse DD does not choose.  I know who but don't wanna spoil the surprise.....LOL

Has to be Yannick which is surprising he does very little work for Melander. Can’t see Andrew leaving Noel and Todd isn’t leaving GDG. Zeron is locked in on Maximus

[Call Sign Merlin]

Has to be Yannick which is surprising he does very little work for Melander. Can’t see Andrew leaving Noel and Todd isn’t leaving GDG. Zeron is locked in on Maximus

Andrew made the final with Blank not OnaJetPlane

[SIX SHOOTER]

NORDIC CATCHER IS NOT SITTING IN A HOLE

[The Answer]

Andrew made the final with Blank not OnaJetPlane

USTA says Dexter will pick after draw and Yannick will take other one. So that means if Maryland draws well Dexter is taking him as SC can’t draw bad.

[Papillon]

USTA says Dexter will pick after draw and Yannick will take other one. So that means if Maryland draws well Dexter is taking him as SC can’t draw bad.

I feel you are reading into this a bit much

so you feel if Maryland doesn't draw a horrible post, then DD chooses Maryland over SC?

I doubt that the fact the DD hasn't already announced his choice is indicative that he really likes Maryland

Super Chapter will be odds on despite any of the other 9 post positions and I still will be very surprised if SC isn't DDs choice

.... the elim winners is just a blind 1-6 draw-instead of picking posts

I feel it wouldn't be fair if any elim winners gets stuck with the horrible #1 post--only posts worse than #1 would be #9 and #10---i feel post #8 is better than post #1

Hambletonian Society should catch up with the times and wake up and realize how bad post #1 really is

[The Answer]

I feel you are reading into this a bit much

so you feel if Maryland doesn't draw a horrible post, then DD chooses Maryland over SC?

I doubt that the fact the DD hasn't already announced his choice is indicative that he really likes Maryland

Super Chapter will be odds on despite any of the other 9 post positions and I still will be very surprised if SC isn't DDs choice

.... the elim winners is just a blind 1-6 draw-instead of picking posts

I feel it wouldn't be fair if any elim winners gets stuck with the horrible #1 post--only posts worse than #1 would be #9 and #10---i feel post #8 is better than post #1

Hambletonian Society should catch up with the times and wake up and realize how bad post #1 really is

We will see but if Maryland draws six or in I think Dexter takes him.

[Papillon]

Post Position Stats
1/03/2025 – 07/19/2025

Positions   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12
Starts   795    795    795    795    794    789    766   696   565   384   16   3
Win      83   96   76   91   115   115   84   70   50   21   2   0
Place    108   93   93   73   103   115   77   65   35   26   0   0
Show   116   109   86   87   89   90   78   63   46   29   3   0

% in Money   
                                 
Win   10.4   12.1   9.6   11.4   14.5   14.6   11.0   10.1   8.8   5.5   12.5   0.0
Place   24.0   23.8   21.3   20.6   27.5   29.2   21.0   19.4   15.0   12.2   12.5   00.0
Show   38.6   37.5   32.1   31.6   38.7   40.6   31.2   28.4   23.2   19.8   31.3   00.0

Percentage of Winning Favorites: 41.01%

this shows posts #8 and #1 are very close in win % and look at how horrible post #3 is

elim winners should get the first three choices

[Call Sign Merlin]

USTA says Dexter will pick after draw and Yannick will take other one. So that means if Maryland draws well Dexter is taking him as SC can’t draw bad.

Color me wrong and surprised.  Melander does use Yannick much and imo not real great in these situations