by T.J. Burkett, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY– Hambletonian winner Donato Hanover turned in an impressive 1:51.3 qualifying performance Thursday afternoon, Aug. 23, at The Red Mile.

Ron Pierce piloted Donato Hanover through fractions of :28, :55.1 and 1:24.1 in preparation for the $550,000 World Trotting Derby to be held Sept. 1 at the DuQuoin State Fair in Illinois.

“He was great today,” Pierce said after the mile. “If the conditions are right in DuQuoin he could be the first trotter to break 1:50.”

Tom Ridge set the all-age trotting record of 1:50.2 in the World Trotting Derby on Sept. 4, 2004.

Donato Hanover has won 13 straight races over his 2- and 3-year-old seasons. The Andover Hall colt has earned $1,707,587 lifetime. Steve Elliott trains Donato Hanover for co-owners David Scharf, Golden Touch Stable, Steven Arnold and the Donato Hanover Syndicate.