by Ken Warkentin

East Rutherford, NJ — Donato Hanover has sailed through the first eight weeks as a well-deserving number one on the Road to the Hambletonian, and will enter the July 28 eliminations for the August 4 classic as one of the most overwhelming favorites in years.

The Andover Hall colt easily made it three-for-three this season with a 1:54.3 romp in the Stanley Dancer Memorial — his 11th straight win — on July 14.

“I haven’t asked him for anything yet,” said driver Ron Pierce. “It was like a training mile. I haven’t seen anything out there that can get close to him now.”

Mythical Lindy posted his second consecutive runner-up finish to Donato Hanover in the Dancer Final, this time from post eight.

“He’s become a real racehorse this season,” said trainer Jim Arledge, Jr.

Primary AS made a break at the start of the Dancer and finished last.

Xactly Hanover was not eligible to the Dancer, and broke and finished last in a qualifier on July 12.

Flirtin Man, who is five-for-six this season for co-owner/driver John Campbell, freshened up with almost five weeks off and kicked home in :26.3 for second in a qualifier on July 12.

Adrian Chip, who set a world record of 1:55.3 in a Matron elimination at Dover Downs as a freshman, has been following a sophomore path similar to 2001 Hambletonian winner Scarlet Knight. The son of Andover Hall won his final prep in Norway last weekend before shipping overseas.

Laddie has caught fire, winning three in a row, including an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final in a lifetime best of 1:55 at Kawartha Downs.

Monkey Bones had the week off after breaking as the heavy favorite in a division of the Reynolds Stake at Pocono Downs. He has post seven in a $30,000 Open on July 20.

Standpoint finished second in a $30,000 Open on July 13.

“He bounced back with that 1:53.2 win (on June 29) and that was kind of effortless,” noted Trond Smedshammer. “He’s a bigger-gaited horse with a lot of upside.”

Arch Madness has drawn post three in a $30,000 Open on July 20 at the Meadowlands.

“Arch Madness was getting a little excited and making some breaks behind the gate,” said Smedshammer. “But when he minds his manners he can go a lot.”

This Week – Last Week – Early Line – Horse – Trainer – Owner
1 – 1 – 4-5 – Donato Hanover – Steve Elliott – D. Scharf, Golden Touch St., S. Arnold, Donato Hanover Syndicate
2 – 3 – 4-1 – Mythical Lindy – Jim Arledge, Jr. – Thomas York, Jr. & Joe Sbrocco
3 – 2 – 6-1 – Primary AS – Trond Smedshammer – Kittelsen Racing Stable
4 – 4 – 10-1 – Xactly Hanover – Osvaldo Formia – P. Barbato, S. Mathews, T. Abramo, P. Nigito
5 – 10 – 12-1 – Flirtin Man – Gary Napierala – Juniper II, Brittany Farms, Let It Ride Stables
6 – not listed – 15-1 – Adrian Chip – Robert Bergh – Forspro AB
7 – not listed – 15-1 – Laddie – Paula Wellwood – Wellwood Stables, Inc.
8 – 5 – 20-1 – Monkey Bones – Karen Garland – R. Gary Stetson
9 – 7 – 30-1 – Standpoint – Trond Smedshammer – Willow Pond, Theodore Gewertz, Sampson Street Stables
10 – 8 – 30-1 – Arch Madness – Trond Smedshammer – Marc Goldberg & Willow Pond