Zeron hopes to cash in Hambo with ‘Moni’
With the potential to break a 30-year-old record at the Meadowlands Racetrack, Scott Zeron might be right on the “Moni” come this weekend.
But if the harness driver falters at the $1.2 million Hambletonian on Saturday, his loss could become another’s New Jersey jackpot.
Zeron, 28, won the 2016 Hambletonian in his first try, with Marion Marauder. The prospect of Zeron winning two consecutive Hambletonians would be quite a feat. If successful, he will be the first driver since Hall of Famer John Campbell in 1987-88 to do so.
With some drivers taking years to claim their initial Hambo title, Zeron has grabbed the attention of many.
Zeron’s horse, 3-yearold trotting colt International Moni, also has had recent success. On July 22, International Moni was the 3-5 favorite and finished first in a time of 1:52 in an overnight event, making him 3-for-3 this season.
Internat ional Moni drew post five for his elimination and his trainer, Frank Antonacci, thinks it is a good starting place.
“He’s a really handy horse, so whatever Scott is going to want to do he’s going to be able to do from there, which is nice,” said Antonacci. “I think we’re in a good spot.”
Zeron echoed those sentiments. “With a week off and now heading into the Hambo, to me it’s setting up perfectly,” said Zeron. “I don’t think he could be heading into the race any better. His whole year has been beautiful.”
With Walner, who would have been the overwhelming favorite, no longer vying for the title due to injury, the absence of a standout pick for the Hambletonian is notable. International Moni is the early choice for the first of two $100,000 eliminations, having been listed on the morning line at 5-2.
If Zeron does not succeed in winning this year’s Hambletonian, could a local New Jersey resident take home the title?
ong Tom, the 3-1 second choice, is trained by Marcus Melander, who lives in New Egypt, while his driver, Tim Tetrick, is from Woolwich Township. Four-time Hambletonian winning trainer Jimmy Takter from East Windsor and driver Yannick Gingras from Allentown have Victor Gio (61).
Other key players from Jersey — who will participate in the second elim — are Devious Man (52), trained by Millstone’s Julie Miller and driven by her husband, Andy, and What The Hill (3-1), driven by Cream Ridge resident David Miller.
The top-five finishers from each elimination return later in the day for the $1 million Hambletonian final, which will be carried live on CBS Sports Network from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Meghann Taft-Lockard is a senior at La Salle University and is writing as part of the Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop.