from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Donato Hanover tops Ken Warkentin’s first Road to the Hambletonian, a list of top contenders for the $1.5 million classic on Saturday, August 4, at the Meadowlands.

The son of Andover Hall won his first qualifier of the season in a sparkling 1:54.3 on May 24 with Ron Pierce driving. The 2006 Dan Patch Award winner then qualified again in 1:54.1 on May 31 and will race exclusively at the Meadowlands up to the Hambletonian.

“I wasn’t going to qualify him until the following week, but he was so full of himself,” said trainer Steve Elliott.

Flirtin Man is already five-for-five this season after just one start as a freshman. The son of Angus Hall won an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final in 1:55.1 at Mohawk on May 27.

“He has finished with the ear plugs in every time I’ve driven him, so I don’t know where the bottom is,” said driver Paul MacDonell.

Quite Easy leads several hopefuls for Jimmy Takter. The son of Andover Hall finished second to Donato Hanover in his latest of three qualifiers after winning in 1:54.4.

Ron Gurfein is going for the “grandslam” with his best hope being Great Success, a Grand Circuit stakes winner at 2.

Adrian Chip is prepping in Europe for his new trainer Robert Bergh and a new ownership group, which includes hockey star Peter Forsberg.

Arch Madness has won two out of three this season for Trond Smedshammer, who sent out three finalists in 2006. The latest victory for the son of Balanced Image came at Mohawk in 1:56.3 on May 27.

Manfinity went wire-to-wire in the Dexter Cup Final at Freehold in 1:58.2 for Larry Rathbone.

Pennsylvania Sires Stakes champion Mythical Lindy won a qualifier at Scioto Downs on May 17 for Jim Arledge, Jr.

Paula Wellwood’s Laddie was the top gun in the Ontario Sires Stakes last year.

Ogham won the Valley Victory Final at 2. His trainer Blair Burgess won last year’s Hambletonian with Horse of the Year Glidemaster. Burgess is two-for-two in the Hambletonian. He also won it in 2003 with Amigo Hall.

Week 1 – Early Line – Horse – Trainer – Owner
1. 2-1 – Donato Hanover – Steve Elliott – D. Sharf, Golden Touch St., S. Arnold, Donato Hanover Syndicate
2. 5-2 – Flirtin Man – Michael Vanderkemp – Juniper II, Brittany Farms, Let It Ride Stables
3. 4-1 – Quite Easy – Jimmy Takter – Quite Easy Partners
4. 5-1 – Great Success – Ron Gurfein – Ron Gurfein, Rosalie & Jerry Silva
5. 6-1 – Adrian Chip – Robert Bergh – Forspro Ab
6. 10-1 – Arch Madness – Trond Smedshammer – Marc Goldberg & Willow Pond
7. 12-1 – Manfinity – Larry Rathbone – M And L Of Delaware, Inc.
8. 12-1 – Mythical Lindy – Jim Arledge, Jr. – Thomas York, Jr. & Joe Sbrocco
9. 12-1 – Laddie – Paula Wellwood – Wellwood Stables, Inc.
10. 15-1 – Ogham – Blair Burgess – Robert Burgess & Karin Olssen Burgess

NJ Classic focus of this week’s Meadowlands Racing Insider

On this week’s Meadowlands Racing Insider web radio show, host Mike Curci catches up with trainer Scott Bell who will send out Watta Hotshot in Saturday’s $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic, one year after winning the race with Feelin Friskie.

Trainer Greg Peck previews the $200,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey, in which Lady Mattgalane looks to parlay off her elimination win last week.

Plus, Darin Zoccali and Curci’s Horses to Watch, Bob “Hollywood” Heyden’s Backstretch Buzz and Ken Warkentin’s Pick 4 play. And don’t forget to enter the Value Play handicapping contest, with a chance to win a $25 Meadowlands betting voucher.

Click here to listen to this week’s show.

Webster to sign autographs at Last Licks Thornwood

Veteran driver-trainer Ben Webster will sign autographs and participate in a question and answer session at Last Licks Ice Cream parlor in Thornwood, New York beginning at 1:00 p.m.on Sunday, June 10.

Webster, who has more than 4,000 career wins, is best known for winning the 1984 Hambletonian with Historic Freight and campaigning the great pacer Oil Burner.

For more information, visit the Last Licks web site at: http://www.lastlicksicecream.com.

Around The Meadowlands – New Jersey Classic quotes

The $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old pacing colts and $200,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey for fillies are the featured events on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Several horsemen gave updates on their contenders:

Erv Miller on New Jersey Classic elim winner Kinetic Yankee: “He’s a big colt and I almost didn’t put him in the New Jersey Classic. Last year, he was immature and didn’t start until September 28 at Lexington. He was oversized and needed time. Now he’s back and he’s got every chance to keep getting better. That’s the best thing about him. He’s going to improve and I don’t think he needs a trip in the final. He’s not as experienced as some of these others and this could be tough for him.”

Mike Lachance on Miss New Jersey finalist Calgary Hanover, the Breeders Crown winner in her division at 2: “She’s come back a little better than I thought she would, but she’s still a trip type of a horse. From post 10, well, there’s not much I can say. It’s the way it is.”

Don Swick on Calgary Hanover: “I would think from (post 10) she’d be looking to get a check. We’ll have to hope they mix it up the first half. She’s the type who leaves some early and gets position, then has one brush on the back end of it. You can’t sit her outside and expect her to do anything. Your best bet is to time that one late move and see what you can get.”

Travis Alexander on his Miss New Jersey contender, Career Artist: “She was charging home last week (in her elimination). She finished sixth but did well and you only had to make the final. The week before, she popped two gravels in her feet. Before that, she won a cheaper race at Pocono. Last year, she only raced twice because she couldn’t manage her speed.”