Googoo Gaagaa, the only non-eligible in the field is the one to beat and the crowd should anoint him with favorite status. Last week in the elimination for this event he became the fastest soph-colt trotter on a five-eighths mile, winning in a startling 1:51.3. This complemented his frosh mark, the record for a freshman colt trotter on a half-mile, which he accomplished at Ocean Downs winning in 1:56.

Googoo Gaagaa came to the elimination with nine wins in 10 starts. We tagged him in the Simpson on May 11 when he turned out to be well backed at 1-2 and won (we gave out the $11.40 exacta [with Royal Shyster (H-RC Royalty) and $22.60 triple [with Gym Tan Laundry (H-Yankee Glide)] ) in that race at the Meadowlands.

His elim record blew away the field by 7 lengths, going panels of :27, :56 and 1:23.3. He broke the record of Break The Bank K, who on the 2010 “Trail” set the mark at 1:52.2 at Pocono in the Breeders Crown Final. Oddly enough, Dejarmbro, another non-eligible that challenged the herd headed for August, matched that in the 2011 Earl Beal, Jr. Final.

We gave you the second elim winner last week with Stormand Normand (H-Broadway Hall) at the fantastic win price of $16.40. He defeated Breeders Crown-winner Uncle Peter (H-Cantab Hall) in that mile after losing to him at the Meadows.

In the final, Uncle Peter and Stormin Normand could be greatly ignored in the wake of Googoo Gaagaa’s presence. Stormin Normand will likely get a pocket trip and come late.

Uncle Peter had a rough trip when Stormin Normand beat him. Uncle Peter had gone very wide and was closing late but came up short. If he’s closer to the front throughout, he should close well. Since he is one of the top two early Hambletonian choices, earning that by beating Possess The Will (H-Donato Hanover) in the 2011 Breeders Crown (Possess The Will is yet to appear this season), the Jimmy Takter trainee is a great contender for the August classic and has raced well so far this year. This could be the best time to get him at a price.

Also in the field are Magic Tonight (H-Andover Hall), Nothing But Class (H-Andover Hall), Frost Bites K (H-Broadway Hall), Lightning Storm (H-Donato Hanover), Little Brown Fox (H-Muscles Yankee) and My Mvp (H-Cantab Hall).

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section 

• Bob Heyden
• Frank Cotolo
• Ken Warkenton