Perfect Spirit the 92nd Hambletonian winner

The Ake Svanstedt trained Andover Hall colt Perfect Spirit was crowned the 92nd Hambletonian winner at The Meadowlands on Saturday (US time).

Third in his elimination earlier in the day the incredibly consistent colt lead for the majority of the trip in the $1,000,000 blue riband trotting feature before just being nabbed on the line by the trailing horse What The Hill.

Despite crossing the line in second place Perfect Spirit was soon promoted to the winner's circle with What The Hill being deemed to have caused interference to Guardian Angel As in the stretch, causing it to go off stride.

It was a deserved win for the consistent youngster with Perfect Spirit having already won the Arthur Tompkins Memorial and a Earl Beal Jr Memorial elimination this year. It was his fifth win of the season from nine starts.

He is now the winner of seven races overall and $646,419 in stakes-money.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Perfect Spirit is out of the good-producing Kadabra mare Good Common Cents - dam of three $100,000 plus performers from her first four foals, including the $256,520 earning, New York Sires Stakes division winning filly Goosebump Hanover.