Harnessland: The Hambletonian, harness racing's crown jewel
Channel: HorseRacingNation
Date: 2023-07-24

Return to Ray Cotolo's Harnessland, as the mayor himself introduces this year's top Hambletonian contenders to a new denizen of the equine metropolis. 

Much like Thoroughbred owners circling their dreams onto the first Saturday in May, every participant in harness racing yearns for a chance at the sport’s grand prize on the first Saturday in August. 

On August 5, 2023, the Meadowlands Racetrack hosts the 98th rendition of the Hambletonian, a $1-million Standardbred horse race for trotting 3-year-olds. The race is a classic in the sport as one of the oldest races contested as well as being the second leg in Trotting’s Triple Crown. A win in the Hambletonian can make a horse a stallion, can make a driver a champion, or create a legacy for a trainer. Every trotting Standardbred is born with hopes of having a shot at history – a long history, too. Eliminations for this year's Hambletonian are July 29.

Being a cornerstone of American trotting, the town of Harnessland takes great pride in making the race feature the best North American harness racing can offer, but the mayor has been struggling. 

On this episode of Horse Racing Nation’s esteemed web series Harnessland, the mayor is gasping for time to get the town ready for its big race. And while under pressure from the President of Thoroughbredville, the mayor realizes the Hambletonian will always offer the best of the best.