Hambletonian Champions 2026
Hambletonian Oaks
Marcus Melander-trained and Swedish bred Nezuko Kamado won the Hambletonian Oaks by a neck over Carve. A slick move through slow early fractions by catch-driver Yannick Gingras to loop Nezuko Kamado to the lead placed her at a strong tactical advantage the 56th Hambletonian Oaks (Grade 1) in 1:51.4 at The Meadowlands. Third was Setyoursighthigh.
Hambletonian
What a race that turned out to be! Apex (Walner – Mission Brief) and Big Ranger (In Range – Big Blue Bird) fighting it down the stretch, Apex by a nose in photo finish in a stakes record 1:49.2! Apex’ trainer Marcus Melander and driver Dexter Dunn both got their first Hambletonian wins. Big Ranger and Tim Tetrick went to the front on the first turn, but Dunn kept Apex in motion and led that rival by a parked-out nose as he reached the opening quarter in 26.4. Apex was a length in front at the half in 54.3 and at three-quarters in 1:22.4, but Tetrick was charging first-over with Big Ranger and the two were separated by a nose in the stretch, with Apex crowned the 2026 Hambletonian Champion. Third was Noel Daley’s Minoan (Bar Hopping – Regal Woman)
Marcus Melander became the fourth trainer in history to win the Hambletonian and Oaks in the same year, joining Jimmy Takter, Jim Campbell and Jan Johnson.