Filly takes center stage in Hambo
Team Zeron will be singing “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” as they send out their filly, Atlanta, to take on the boys in the $1 million Hambletonian on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Atlanta, a perfect five-forfive this season, could have faced off against her fellow fillies in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, but after discussing it, trainer Rick Zeron and his son, driver Scott Zeron, passed on the undercard to go for the main event.
“We talked this over and [Scott] said, ‘Dad, put her in the Hambo, I’ll take care of the rest,’ ” Rick Zeron said. “I thought my best chance at 60 years old of ever winning the Hambletonian is with this filly, this year, with my son in the bike.”
What Atlanta is attempting is no easy task: 161 fillies have started in the Hambletonian, but only 13 have become champion — the last being Continentalvictory in 1996.
In addition to having historical odds against her, Atlanta (7-2 morning-line second choice) also drew post seven in a field of nine in the first of two Hambletonian eliminations.
“I’m not that concerned about it, I’m just pleased that she didn’t draw completely outside,” Rick Zeron said. “Middle of the pack really doesn’t bother me. She’s got enough gate speed to get where Scott needs to take her.”
Hambletonian Society President and Hall of Famer John Campbell — who has won a record six Hambletonians — has driven his share of fillies in the race, although never winning with one.
“It’s been done in the past and I don’t see why it can’t be done again,” Campbell said. “I certainly am happy that they put her in and she’s going to be one of the contenders on Saturday, I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
The top five finishers in each elimination will move on to compete for the million-dollar prize.
First post on the stakesladen Hambletonian Day race card is noon. The Ham- bletonian, with as estimated post time of 5:06 p.m., will be featured as part of a live broadcast on the CBS Sports Network from 4-5:30 p.m.