Broad Bahn, Manofmanymissions inside for Hambo

Broad Bahn, Manofmanymissions inside for Hambo

Published Aug. 2, 2011 9:16 p.m. ET

Eliminations winners Broad Bahn and Manofmanymissions will try to win the $1.5 million Hambletonian from the two inside posts.

Broad Bahn won Tuesday's draw among the elimination winners to pick first and trainer Noel Daley went with the No. 1 post for harness racing's most prestigious race. Trainer Erv Miller took the No. 2 post for 9-5 favorite Manofmanymissions.

The post positions for the other eight 3-year-old trotters were determined in an open draw.

The field from the rail out is Broad Bahn, Manofmanymissions, Fawkes, Chapter Seven, Whit, Whiskey Tax, Opening Night, Magnum Kosmos, Luckycharm Hanover and Pastor Stephen.

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Manofmanymissions posted the fastest winning time (1:52 4-5) in Saturday's eliminations is the top choice for the race celebrating its 30th year at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Andy Miller, Erv's Miller's brother, is the driver.

Chapter Seven, who finished a fast-closing second to Broad Bahn in last weekend's first elimination, was made the 7-2 second choice. The colt will try to make cancer survivor Linda Toscano the first female trainer to win the race. Mike Lachance will be in the bike looking for his fifth Hambletonian win.

Broad Bahn is the 4-1 third choice. The 3-year-old colt led almost every step of the way in winning his elimination in 1:53 for driver George Brennan.

Brennan expects Broad Bahn to be near the lead Saturday, saying the son of Broadway Hall earned the No. 1 post.

''He's got speed and he has the 'Minister of Speed,''' Brennan said, referring his own nickname around the track.

Manofmanymissions stayed close to the pace in his elimination and wore down long shot Magnum Kosmos in the final 100 yards in winning last weekend.

''I don't want to be out too far and I don't want any other horses in between us,'' Erv Miller said after picking to No. 2 post.

Chapter Seven might be the wild card. The colt missed more than a month of training after developing a virus and didn't make his first start until two weeks ago, when he won a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial.

''He has overcome so much to get to where he is and what he has done in the last couple of weeks is astounding.'' Toscano said after the draw.

Trainer Jimmy Takter, who won last year's race with Muscle Massive, had the most disappointing draw when Pastor Stephen, last year's top 2-year-old trotter, drew the outside No. 10 post for driver Ron Pierce.

Pastor Stephen, who has battled illnesses this year, finished third to Manofmanymissions, a little more than two lengths behind the winner.

''The 10 hole, somebody has to get it,'' Takter said. ''Unfortunately, it was me.''

Hall of Famer John Campbell, who will be looking for a record seventh Hambletonian win, will drive Opening Night for his brother, trainer Jim Campbell.

A couple of week ago, John Campbell wasn't even thinking about the Hambletonian. He was recovering from broken right shoulder and a broke right knee suffering in a spill at Harrah's Chester.

He returned to driving last weekend, trying to get his own Live Jazz into the Hambletonian final. The colt did not qualify, but his brother, Jim, gave him the drive on Opening Night, who was qualified by Brian Sears.

Sears picked up the drive on Mangum Kosmos, when Brennan opted to stay with Broad Bahn in the final.

The $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks also will be raced on Saturday's 15-race card. Crys Dream, who is undefeated in five starts this year, is the 7-5 favorite with Luc Ouellette in the sulky.

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