East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - Hall of Fame driver John Campbell registered his sixth career victory in harness racing's most prestigious event, driving Glidemaster first to the wire in the 81st edition of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands.

Glidemaster trotted the mile in a stakes record 1:51 1/5. He hit the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front of second place finisher Chocolatier.

The win by Glidemaster gave his trainer, Blair Burgess, his second win in the Hambletonian. Burgess combined with driver Mike Lachance in 2003 to capture the race with Amigo Hall.

The win broke a seven-year drought for Campbell. He last won the Hambletonian in 1998 with Muscles Yankee. Campbell won his first Hambletonian in 1987 with Mack Lobell.

Burgess and Campbell both talked about their relationship.

"That started with Amity Chef way back, 1986," said Burgess. "He's driven some very good horses for me. I told him the other day, I only call you when I've got a really good horse."

"Blair and I have had a lot of success over the years," noted Campbell.

Glidemaster came from off the pace to win the $1.5 million Hambletonian. Here Comes Herbie led for most of the race. He still had the lead at the top of the stretch.

Down the stretch Here Comes Herbie began to tire and drift out to the middle of the track. Glidemaster came roaring down the stretch to post the win. Last year's champion, two-year-old trotter Chocolatier, also came storming down the track to finish second.

Completing the order of finish for the Hambletonian was Blue Mac Lad, Global Glide, Algiers Hall, Here Comes Herbie, Race Fan, Berto Primo and Capetown Hall.

Mr. Pine Chip, the 7-5 morning line favorite, never got it going in the race. He finished last in the ten horse field, well behind the winner. The colt ended up going off as the 9-10 favorite.

Glidemaster is owned by Robert Burgess, Karin Olsson-Burgess, Marsha Cohen, and Brittany Farms. The colt was making just his 12th career start in the Hambletonian and has won six times. The Hambletonian victory was worth $750,000 to bring Glidemaster's lifetime earnings to $916,782.

Glidemaster returned $14.00, $6.00 and $3.20. Chocolatier paid $6.40 and $4.20, and Blue Mac Lad paid $4.80 for show.

In the companion race, the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks for fillies, 2-5 favorite Passionate Glide led most of the way and won by just under a length over Emantee.

Passionate Glide is owned by Brittany Farms, a co-owner of Glidemaster. The filly is trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Ron Pierce. She trotted the mile in 1:54 3/5. Celebrity Sweedie finished third.