Horse racing: Deweycheatumnhowe wins Hambletonian
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Deweycheatumnhowe captured the $1.5 million Hambletonian today, becoming the first unbeaten winner of the 3-year-old trotting classic.
The 2-5 favorite with a mouthful of a name extended his winning streak to 15 with a half-length victory over Crazed. Make It Happen finished third in the field of 10.
Deweycheatumnhowe, driven by co-owner and trainer Ray Schnittker, completed the mile in 1:52 on a good track for his 11th victory at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
The winner took the lead early in the first turn and kept it. Crazed, the 7-2 second choice, offered the only meaningful challenge.
"The trip was getting to him and I got into him pretty good," Schnittker said. "He refused to let the other horse get by."
This was Schnittker's first Hambletonian victory in three tries.
"It don't matter if I die now, " Schnittker said. "I got it."
Deweycheatumnhowe earned $750,000 for Schnittker and Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo and Deweycheatumnhowe Stable.
The winner paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Crazed returned $3.40 and $2.60. Make It Happen, also trained by Schnittker, showed at $8.