Hambletonian Stakes

The Hambletonian Stakes is a major American harness race for three-year-old trotting horses, named in honor of Hambletonian 10, a foundation sire of the Standardbred horse breed, also known as the "Father of the American Trotter." It is part of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters and typically run on the first Saturday in August.

As of 2027, the Hambletonian will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. It was previously held at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from 1981 to 2026.

Sites The Hambletonian first took place at the New York State Fair in Syracuse in 1926. The race switched from Syracuse to Lexington, Kentucky for the 1927 and 1929 races, however, because of rainouts. Starting in 1930, Good Time Park in Goshen, New York hosted the race until 1956 with the exception of 1943. That year, The Hambletonian was raced at Empire City Race Track, which became Yonkers Raceway in 1950, because of wartime gas rationing. The Du Quoin State Fair in Du Quoin, Illinois gained the rights to host the race in 1957 and held on to it until 1980. From 1981 until 2026, the race was held at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Following the 2026 Hambletonian, the Hambletonian Society voted to move the race to Hoosier Park in Indiana for three years beginning in 2027. This came after their contract with the Meadowlands expired, and the New Jersey track declined to exercise its exclusive right to renewal. John Campbell, a retired harness racing driver who has won the Hambletonian a record six times and served as president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society at the time of the announcement, said that "no decision regarding the Hambletonian is taken lightly," but that the board accepted a proposal from Hoosier Park and standardbred interests in Indiana "that will only guarantee continued opportunity and growth for the Hambletonian and the sport."

Records Most wins by a driver 6 – John Campbell (1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2006)

Most wins by a trainer 5 – shared by: Billy Haughton (1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982) Ben White (1927, 1933, 1936, 1942, 1943) Stanley Dancer (1965, 1968, 1972, 1975, 1983)

Stakes record 1:49 2/5 – Apex (2026)

Hambletonian Stakes winners Year Winner Driver Trainer Owner Time Purse2026ApexDexter DunnMarcus MelanderJeff Snyder, S R F Stable & Steve Stewart1:49 2/5$1,000,0002025Nordic Catcher SAke SvanstedtAke SvanstedtAke Svanstedt Inc., Little E LLC1:50 0/0$1,000,0002024KarlYannick GingrasNancy TakterNancy Takter, Christina Takter, Crawford Farms Racing, Black Horse Racing & Bender Sweden1:51 3/5$1,000,0002023Tactical Approach Scott ZeronNancy TakterFielding, LeBlanc, Sbrocco, JAF Racing1:50 3/5$1,000,0002022Cool Papa BellTodd McCarthyJim CampbellScott Farber 1:51 3/5$1,000,0002021Captain Corey Ake SvanstedtAke SvanstedtSRF, Knutsson, Midnight Sun, Svanstedt1:51 0/0$1,000,0002020Ramona HillAndy McCarthyTony AlagnaGrant, Crawford Farms, Leblanc & In The Gym Partners1:50 1/5$1,000,0002019Forbidden TradeBob McClureLuc BlaisSerge Godin & Distinction Capital1:51 0/5$1,000,0002018AtlantaScott ZeronRick ZeronRick Zeron, Crawford Fms, Holland1:50 4/5$1,000,0002017Perfect SpiritÅke SvanstedtÅke SvanstedtSrf Stable, Delray Beach, FL1:50 3/5$1,000,0002016Marion MarauderScott ZeronPaula WellwoodWellwood, Keeler 1:51 4/5$1,000,0002015PinkmanBrian SearsJimmy TakterTakter, Fielding, McClelland, Liverman1:51 0/5$1,000,0002014TrixtonJimmy TakterJimmy TakterBrixton Medical Ab (Bengt Agerup) & Christina Takter1:50 3/5$1,006,1252013Royalty For LifeBrian SearsGeorge DucharmeAl Ross, Chip Campbell, Jr., Paul Fountaine1:52 1/5$1,000,0002012Market ShareTim TetrickLinda ToscanoGutnick, TLP Stable, Augustine1:52 1/5$1,500,0002011Broad BahnGeorge BrennanNoel DaleyFam Alber Horse Racing LLC (Leif Alber)1:53 0/0$1,500,0002010Muscle MassiveRonald PierceJimmy TakterBrixton Medical, Order By Stable et al.1:51 0/0$1,500,0002009Muscle HillBrian SearsGregory B. PeckTLP Stable, Silva, Southwind Farm, Muscle Hill Racing1:50 1/5$1,520,3332008DeweycheatumnhoweRay SchnittkerRay SchnittkerSchnittker, Iannazzo, Gewertz, Baldassare & Deweycheatumnhowe Stable1:52 0/0$1,500,0002007Donato HanoverRonald PierceSteve Elliott(Lessees) Steve Arnold, David Scharf, Golden Touch Stables1:53 2/5$1,500,0002006GlidemasterJohn CampbellBlair BurgessRobert Burgess, Karin-Olsson Burgess, Marsha Cohen, Brittany Farms1:51 1/5$1,500,0002005Vivid PhotoRoger HammerRoger HammerRoger Hammer, Todd Schadel1:52 3/5$1,500,0002004Windsong's LegacyTrond SmedshammerTrond SmedshammerAnn Brannvoll, Ted Gewertz, Patricia Spinelli1:54 1/5$1,000,0002003Amigo HallMichel LachanceBlair BurgessWalnut Hall Limited (Alan J. Leavitt), Robert Burgess, Karin Olsson-Burgess1:54 0/0$1,000,0002002Chip Chip HoorayEric LedfordCharles SylvesterC. Sylvester, M. Prakas, Wingedfoot Farms, N. Goldman1:53 3/5$1,000,0002001Scarlet KnightStefan MelanderStefan MelanderStefan Melander1:53 4/5$1,000,0002000Yankee PacoTrevor RitchieDouglas McIntoshHarry Ivey & Dr. Tom Ivey1:53 2/5$1,000,0001999Self PossessedMichel LachanceRon GurfeinSelf Possessed Stable (D. Scharf, J. Silva, L. Domiano, G. Segal)1:51 3/5$1,000,0001998Muscles YankeeJohn CampbellCharles SylvesterPerretti Farms Inc, Irving G. Liverman & David French1:52 2/5$1,000,0001997Malabar ManMalvern C. BurroughsJimmy TakterMalvern C. Burroughs1:55 0/0$1,000,0001996ContinentalvictoryMichel LachanceRon GurfeinContinentalvictory Stable1:52 1/5$1,200,0001995TagliabueJohn CampbellJim CampbellArlene & Jules J. Siegel1:54 4/5$1,200,0001994Victory DreamMichel LachanceRon GurfeinFA Stable (Frank Antonacci) & Victory Dream Stable (Alan J. Leavitt, et al.)1:54 1/5$1,200,0001993American WinnerRonald PierceMilton SmithRobert Key, John Glesmann1:53 1/5$1,200,0001992Alf PalemaMickey McNicholPer ErikssonKarl-Erik Bender, Per Eriksson1:56 2/5$1,288,0001991Giant VictoryJack MoiseyevPer ErikssonJacqueline & Theodore Gewertz, Robins Racing Stable1:54 4/5$1,238,0001990HarmoniousJohn CampbellOsvaldo FormiaLindy Racing Stable, Sal Garofalo1:54 1/5$1,346,0001989Park Avenue Joe (DH)Ron WaplesCharles SylvesterPark Avenue Stable2:00 2/5$1,131,0001989Probe (DH)William FahyOsvaldo FormiaLindy Farms2:00 2/51988Armbro GoalJohn CampbellJan JohnsonJames R. Plate, Paul H. Ryan, Michael V. Caggiano1:54 3/5$1,156,8001987Mack LobellJohn CampbellCharles SylvesterOne More Time Stable (Louis P. Guida, et al.) & Fair Winds Farm (E. Mullen)1:53 3/5$1,046,3001986Nuclear KosmosUlf ThoresenPer HenriksenLilla Henriksen, Geo. & Gary Hoffman, Stephen Sullivan1:55 2/5$1,172,0821985PrakasBill O'DonnellPer ErikssonHans G. Enggren, Iain L. Mackenzie, Carl J. Vizzi1:54 3/5$1,272,0001984Historic FreightBen WebsterSamuel "Skip" LewisABC Stables, Inc.1:56 2/5$1,219,0001983DuennaStanley DancerStanley DancerClearview Stable1:57 2/5$1,000,0001982Speed BowlTommy HaughtonBilly HaughtonPony Stable (B. Haughton, D. Miller, P. Soldner, F. Miller, M. Hempt, B. Brown)1:56 4/5$875,7501981Shiaway St. PatRay RemmenRay RemmenShiawassee Farm, Inc.2:01 1/5$838,0001980BurgomeisterBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonPeter Haughton1:56 3/5$293,5701979Legend HanoverGeorge SholtyRay TrippMessenger Stable (Raymond Galt)1:56 1/5$300,0001978Speedy SomolliHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerAnn Beissinger, Barbara Mumma, Alan J. Leavitt, William Rosenberg1:55 0/0$241,2801977Green SpeedBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonBeverly Lloyds1:55 3/5$284,3101976Steve LobellBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonMill Island Stable (Richard Herman & Murray Siegel)1:56 2/5$263,5241975BonefishStanley DancerStanley DancerStanley F. & Rachel L. Dancer & A. M. Cuddy Stable1:59 0/0$232,1921974Christopher T.Billy HaughtonBilly HaughtonJohn L. Thro1:58 3/5$160,1501973FlirthRalph N. BaldwinRalph N. BaldwinArden Homestead Stable (E. Roland Harriman & Elbridge T. Gerry, Sr.)1:57 1/5$144,7101972Super BowlStanley DancerStanley DancerRachel L. Dancer, Rose Hild Breeding Farm1:56 2/5$119,0901971Speedy CrownHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerCrown Stable, Inc. (Frank & Thomas Antonacci)1:57 2/5$129,7701970Timothy T.John F. Simpson, Jr.John F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.1:58 2/5$143,6301969Lindy's PrideHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerLindy Farm, Inc.1:57 3/5$124,9101968Nevele PrideStanley DancerStanley DancerNevele Acres, Louis Resnick1:59 2/5$116,1901967Speedy StreakDel CameronFrank ErvinClarence F. Gaines, John R. Gaines, Kenneth D. Owen2:00 0/0$122,6501966Kerry WayFrank ErvinFrank ErvinGainesway Farm1:58 4/5$122,5401965Egyptian CandorDel CameronStanley DancerRachel L. Dancer 2:03 4/5$122,2451964AyresJohn F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Charlotte Sheppard1:56 4/5$115,2811963Speedy ScotRalph N. BaldwinRalph N. BaldwinCastleton Farm1:57 3/5$115,5491962A. C.'s VikingSanders RussellSanders RussellMr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Petersen1:59 3/5$116,6121961Harlan DeanJimmy ArthurDelvin MillerMax C. Hempt, Delvin Miller, Ray Cleveland1:58 2/5$131,5731960Blaze HanoverJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienS. A. Camp Farms1:59 3/5$147,4811959Diller HanoverFrank ErvinRalph N. BaldwinHall Stables (Howard M. Hall)2:01 1/5$125,2831958Emily's PrideFlave NipeFred EganCastleton Farm & Walnut Hall Farm1:59 4/5$106,7191957Hickory SmokeJohn F. Simpson Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Lawrence B. Sheppard & Archie Mudge2:00 1/5$111,1261956The IntruderNed BowerNed BowerAllwood Stable2:01 2/5$100,6031955Scott FrostJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienS. A. Camp Farms2:00 3/5$86,8631954Newport DreamDel CameronDel CameronOctave Blake2:02 4/5$106,8301953HelicopterHarry M. HarveyDelvin MillerArmstrong Bros.2:01 3/5$117,1171952Sharp NoteBion ShivelyBion ShivelyClyde W. Clark2:02 3/5$87,6371951MainlinerGuy CrippenGuy CrippenRalph H. Kroening 2:02 3/5$95,2631950Lusty SongDelvin MillerFay FitzpatrickHayes Fair Acres2:02 0/0$75,2091949Miss TillyFred EganFred EganCharles W. Phellis2:01 2/5$69,7911948Demon HanoverHarrison R. HoytHarrison R. HoytMr. & Mrs. Harrison R. Hoyt2:02 0/0$59,9411947Hoot MonScepter F. PalinScepter F. PalinCastleton Farm2:00 0/0$46,2671946ChestertownThomas S. BerryHarry P. WhitneyWalter E. Smith2:02 1/2$50,9951945Titan HanoverHarry PownallHarry PownallArden Homestead Stable (E. R. Harriman & E. T. Gerry, Sr.)2:04 0/0$50,1961944Yankee MaidHenry ThomasHenry ThomasArch L. Derby2:04 0/0$33,5771943Volo SongBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam H. Strang, Jr.2:02 1/2$42,2981942The AmbassadorBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam H. Strang, Jr.2:04 0/0$38,9541941Bill GallonLee SmithLee SmithR. Horace Johnston2:05 0/0$38,7291940Spencer ScottFred EganFred EganCharles W. Phellis2:02 0/0$43,6581939Peter AstraHugh M. "Doc" ParshallHugh M. "Doc" ParshallDr. Lowry M. Guilinger2:04 1/4$40,5021938Mc LinHenry ThomasHenry ThomasHanover Shoe Farms2:02 1/4$37,9621937Shirley HanoverHenry ThomasHenry ThomasHanover Shoe Farms2:01 1/2$37,9121936Rosalind Benjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteGib White2:01 3/4$35,6431935GreyhoundScepter F. PalinScepter F. PalinEdward J. Baker2:02 1/4$33,3211934Lord JimHugh M. "Doc" ParshallHugh M. "Doc" ParshallEarl L. Mefford2:02 3/4$25,8451933Mary ReynoldsBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam N. Reynolds 2:03 3/4$40,4591932The MarchionessWilliam CatonWilliam CatonMrs. Ralph Keeler2:01 1/4$49,4891931Calumet ButlerRichard D. McMahonRichard D. McMahonCalumet Farm2:03 1/4$50,9211930Hanover's BerthaThomas S. BerryThomas S. BerryHanover Shoe Farms2:03 0/0$56,8591929Walter DearWalter CoxWalter CoxWilliam H. Cane2:02 3/4$60,3091928SpencerWilliam H. LeeseWilliam H. LeeseDavid M. Look2:02 1/2$66,2261927Iosola's WorthyMarvin ChildsBenjamin WhiteE. J. Merkle2:03 3/4$54,6941926Guy McKinneyNathaniel D. RayNathaniel D. RayHenry B. Rea2:04 3/4$73,451

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