from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

East Windsor NJ — Some might think Jimmy Takter is taking a chance by sending his filly Pampered Princess into Saturday’s elimination races for the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack, but the trainer doesn’t believe it’s much of a gamble.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Jimmy Takter, with Pampered Princess, who will take on the colts in the Hambletonian.

Pampered Princess was among 21 3-year-old trotters, including No. 1-ranked Donato Hanover, to enter the Hambletonian on Tuesday.

The entrants were divided into three seven-horse elimination divisions, which will be contested Saturday. The top three finishers from each division, plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings, will advance to the NBC-televised final on August 4.

Thirteen fillies have won the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926, the last being Continentalvictory in 1996. The last filly to enter the race prior to Pampered Princess was Norway But My Way in 2002; she went off-stride in her elimination and failed to reach the final.

The number of fillies to attempt racing in the Hambletonian has decreased over the years, particularly since the 1971 inception of the Hambletonian Oaks, the companion race specifically for 3-year-old filly trotters. This year’s Hambletonian Oaks final, also on August 4, has a purse of $750,000.

“We’ll know on Saturday whether we’re stupid or not,” Takter said, adding, “You can never say we were stupid. I don’t see a big difference between the colts and the fillies. You take away Donato Hanover, and what have you got? A good filly can go with the boys. I think this filly is in their class.”

No 3-year-old trotter this season — male or female — has won a pari-mutuel race in a time faster than Pampered Princess’ 1:53.2 victory at the Meadowlands on July 13. Pampered Princess, owned by Bob and David Anderson of Ontario, has won 14 of 17 career races and earned nearly $1.1 million. She was the 2006 Dan Patch Award winner as best 2-year-old filly trotter.

Donato Hanover, who has been the top-rated colt in the Meadowlands Racetrack’s “Road to the Hambletonian” throughout the year and is the sport’s No. 1-ranked horse in the weekly Hambletonian/Breeders Crown Top 10 Poll, has won 11 consecutive races since losing his debut on June 22, 2006. He was the 2006 Dan Patch Award winner as best 2-year-old male trotter.

Pampered Princess drew post five in the first of the three elimination races Saturday; Donato Hanover drew post seven in the third division.

“I was happy with three divisions and three short fields; it could be a good spot for us,” Takter said. “I think we have the horse to do this. I’ve seen :26 (second) final quarters with the fillies and not seen too many boys doing that. The owners have already won the Oaks with Southwind Allaire (in 2003). Sometimes, you got to take a shot.”