Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Winning Key Farm Hambletonian Week 10

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Six of the top ten horses are in to go this Saturday in the two divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial.

ROAD TO THE WINNING KEY FARM HAMBLETONIAN (G1)

2026 Top Ten – Week 10 – July 8

The 2026 Hambletonian takes place Saturday, August 8

RankHorseDriver, Trainer, OwnerKen Warkentin’s Comments
1Apex (Walner)Dexter Dunn, Marcus Melander. Jeffrey Snyder, S R F Stable, Steve StewartDan Patch Award winner rallied from post 11 to finish second by a neck to stablemate American Power in 3YO debut June 5, final quarter in :25.2, held off Diabolic Hill for a new mark of 1:50.3 in NJSS Platinum Final, second (1:52.1) in Big M qualifier July 4, post two in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11
2Diabolic Hill (Muscle Hill)Todd McCarthy, Annie Stoebe, Mario Mazza, AC Crawford Racing StableWon Big M qualifier in 1:53.3 on May 8, wire-to-wire in 1:53.2 Big M qualifier May 29, first over third in 3YO NJSS debut June 5, hard-charging second in NJSS Final June 12, solid second (1:52) from post nine in Reynolds division July 4, not in to go
3Big Ranger (In Range)  Tim Tetrick, Anette Lorentzon, Madison Global2025 Ohio Horse of the Year broke in 3YO debut, fourth in Oak Grove Derby elim, wire-to-wire in Silver conso in 1:52.3, set Scioto Downs track record 1:51.2 in OHSS May 25, after barn change set another track record of 1:50.3 in OHSS division @ Scioto Downs with Tim Tetrick, did not race last three weeks, not in to go
4Endurance (Captain Corey)Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Beaver, Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming, Mark MogerUnleashed track record equaling 1:51.3 in Oak Grove Derby elim in 3YO debut, then a gallant second in final, dominated PASS division in 1:51.4 June 6, powered to a Currier & Ives stakes record 1:52.4 June 26 despite missing 20 days, did not race last week, post four in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11 
5Magic Punk (Wishing Stone) Yannick Gingras, Ake Svanstedt, Magic Punk Inc.1:53.1 stakes record Dexter Cup 3YO debut, romped to new mark of 1:51.1 in first Goodtimes elim, second (1:52.2) as beaten favorite in final, tripped out to new mark of 1:51.4 in Reynolds division July 4, not in to go
6Spencer Hanover (Chapter Seven)  Jason Bartlett, Marcus Melander, Jeffrey Synder, Arthur ProntiBreeders Crown champion won Oak Grove Derby elim in 1:53.4 in 3YO debut, equaled 1:51.3 track record in final, 1:53.3 romp (track good) in NYSS @ Vernon Downs May 25, made it four-for-four in 2026 dominating EBC in 1:54.4 June 12, broke/ninth as beaten favorite in Yonkers Trot June 26, did not race last week, post one in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11
7Neighver Punt (Bar Hopping)Dexter Dunn, Marcus Melander, M Biasuzzi Stable IncOne of five Marcus Melander trainees in Top Ten, suddenly blossomed @ three upsetting a Goodtimes elimination in career best 1:51.4, rallied to upset final in 1:52, fourth (1:53) in Reynolds division July 4 after missing three weeks, not in to go
8Nix Nacken (Muscle Hill)Dexter Dunn, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.1:52.2 Grand Circuit winner at two, just missed in a NJSS Silver Division June 5, then romped to an astounding 1:50 world record for 3YO geldings in that final, third (1:51) in Reynolds division July 4, post eight in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11
9American Power (Walner)James MacDonald, Marcus Melander, Courant IncRallied in :26.3 to win Garden State division May 16, won NJSS Platinum Division in 1:54.3 (sloppy track) May 23, took new mark of 1:52 in NJSS June 5, third (1:51.1) in NJSS Platinum Final July 4, post three in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11
10It Could Be Worse (Captain Corey)Tim Tetrick, Linda Toscano, Bay’s Stable, Pat & Mark Huber, Bill Elliott, Camelot StableKYSS winner in 1:53 at two, just missed going wire-to-wire in 1:51.3 3YO debut June 12, rebound from a late break June 19 with an eye-catching new mark of 1:50.3 in Reynolds division July 4, post seven in Stanley Dancer Memorial division July 11

KEY PREP RACES

Hambletonian Eligibles in Caps

DateStakesSiteWinnerDriverTrainer2nd Horse3rd HorseTime
May 2Dexter CupMMAGIC PUNKAke SvanstedtAke SvanstedtSouthwind AlamoWHO’S EYES BLUES1:53.1
May 4Oak Grove ElimOGSPENCER HANOVERJason BartlettMarcus MelanderGeologicIMPOSSIBLE BI1:53.4
May 4Oak Grove ElimOGSilversteinDave MillerMatthew BurkholderREQIUEMKINGMEN1:52.3
May 4Oak Grove ElimOGENDURANCEAndrew McCarthyChristopher BeaverAINIX NAKEN1:51.3
May 8PASS 1st LegMeaCaptain VodkaRidge WarrenRobert Baggitt, Jr.GREENARROW HANOVERHAMLET HALL1:54.3
May 8PASS 1st LegMeaFineline HanoverRidge WarrenRon Coyne, Jr.Dilly HanoverR TOMMY COLLINS1:53.2
May 16Battle of Bunker HillPRNEBBIOLOSarah SvanstedtAke SvantedtMIDWIND CHIMPWater Slide1:54.2
May 16Oak Grove DerbyOGSPENCER HANOVERJason BartlettMarcus MelanderENDURANCEREQUIEM1:51.3
May 18PA AllstarsPocMR PENNERAke SvanstedtAke SvanstedtMINOANCaptain Vodka1:52
May 18PA AllstarsPocHIGHLAND DESTINYScott ZeronNancy TakterJIM BEAMDOLLAR DRAFT1:52.2
May 18PA AllstarsPocFineline HanoverTodd McCarthyRon Coyne, Jr.NEIGHVER PUNTConfident Volo1:52.2
May 23NJSS 1st LegMGABES LUCKScott ZeronNancy TakterMEGA SHARKPRACTICAL MAN1:55.3
May 23NJSS 1st LegMKing Of The WindJoe BongiornoJoe BongiornoMAGA HILLNEVER SAY DIE1:55.2
May 23NJSS 1st LegMAMERICAN POWERDexter DunnMarcus MelanderKINGMENARDONNE1:54.3
May 23NJSS 1st LegMTRILLION TIMESJason BartlettPer EngblomIce FallBe Positive1:57.3
May 25NYSS 1st LegVerSEVENATOTrond SmedshammerTrond SmedshammerWHO’S EYES BLUESHighway Six1:54
May 25NYSS 1st LegVerSPENCER HANOVERJason BartlettMarcus MelanderTitan’s MischiefSECURED1:53.4
June 5NYSS 2nd LegTDREAD THE ROOMSarah SvanstedtAke SvanstedtHighway SixTWIN B SEVEN SINS1:53.2
June 5NYSS 2nd LegTDSilversteinMatt KakaleyMatthew BurkholderAISEVEN GRAND1:53.3
June 5NJSS 2nd Leg MAMERICAN POWERMattias MelanderMarcus MelanderAPEXDIABOLIC HILL1:52
June 5Goodtimes ElimMOMAGIC PUNKYannick GingrasAke SvanstedtStrobe LightWOLFPACK CROWN1:52.1
June 5Goodtimes ElimMONEIGHVER PUNTYannick GingrasMarcus MelanderTouchedbyanangelRoyal Captain1:51.4
June 6PASS 2nd LegPocENDURANCEAndrew McCarthyChristopher BeaverGeologicHAMLET HALL1:51.4
June 6PASS 2nd LegPocHIGHLAND DESTINYScott ZeronNancy TakterMINOANCaptain Vodka1:54.1
June 12NJSS Final PlatinumMAPEXDexter DunnMarcus MelanderDIABOLIC HILLAMERICAN POWER1:50.3
June 12NJSS Final SilverMNIX NACKENDexter DunnMarcus MelanderKing Of The WindMAGA HILL1:50
June 12EBC DivisionVerSPENCER HANOVERJason BartlettMarcus MelanderTWIN B SEVEN SINSSEVEN GRAND1:54.3
June 13Goodtimes FinalMONEIGHVER PUNTDexter DunnMarcus MelanderMAGIC PUNKStrobe Light1:52
June 24NYSS 3rd LegBufREAD THE ROOMAke SvanstedtAke SvanstedtChapter Geo JLOU JOHN’S ACTION1:55
June 24NYSS 3rd LegBufHighway SixJeff GregoryJeff GregoryTWIN B SEVEN SINSSEVEN GRAND1:56.4
June 26Yonkers Trot FinalYINEXPRESSABLETim TetrickLucas WallinKINGMENSilverstein2:25.3
June 26Currier & IvesMeaENDURANCEAndrew McCarthyChristopher BeaverHAMLET HALLCaptain Vodka1:52.4
July 4ReynoldsMIT COULD WORSETim TetrickLinda ToscanoSouthwind AlamoNIX NACKEN1:50.3
July 4ReynoldsMMAGIC PUNKYannick GingrasAke SvanstedtDIABOLIC HILLSouthwind Fargo1:51.4
July 11Stanley DancerM      
July 11Stanley DancerM      
July 19Zweig MemorialV      
July 23NYSS 4th LegY      
July 25Tompkins-GeersM      
July 25Tompkins-GeersM      
Aug. 1Hambo ElimM      
Aug. 1Hambo ElimM      
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