It was Ham-bombs away on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.
Forbidden Trade (15-1) and driver Bob McClure won the $1 million Hambletonian by a neck over 1-5 prohibitive favorite Greenshoe in 1:51. Gimpanzee (7-1 second choice) finished third.
McClure gave Forbidden Trade a breather while fourth at the rail before moving him second to follow Green Manalishi S.
“I was able to get a little helmet time,” McClure said. “I was following a real good horse in Green Manalishi, and he got me where I needed to go, and the only looming danger was Greenshoe, and when they hooked up, it was a good race.”
Forbidden Trade battled Greenshoe down the stretch and when they hit the wire managed to hold onto the narrow victory.
“They’re two really incredible colts fighting it out, so I don’t think there’s really a loser in that, but I’m really glad we came out on top,” McClure said.
Forbidden Trade, trained by Luc Blais, paid $33.80 to win.
This was McClure’s first Hambletonian win in his Hambo debut and Blais’ first win in his second attempt.
Earlier, the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks was won by When Dovescry (even money) for trainer Rene Allard and driver Simon Allard by 2 lengths over Millies Possession in 1:50 2/5. Asiago finished third.
When Dovescry paid $6.60 to win.
The combination of trainer Jim Campbell and driver David Miller won both the $324,550 Peter Haughton Memorial, with Real Cool Sam (1-2) in 1:53 1/5, and the $280,000 John Cashman Memorial, with Crystal Fashion (8-1) in 1:50.
Hypnotic Am won the $310,700 James Doherty Memorial for the combination of trainer Marcus Melander and driver Brian Sears.
Hypnotic Am (1-2) won the race for 2-year-old trotting fillies by 2 lengths over Sherry Lyns Lady. Hello Tomorrow finished third.
The daughter of 2012 Horse of the Year Chapter Seven paid $3.00 and is now 4-for-4 on the season.