from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ – Donato Hanover, last year’s 2-year-old colt trotting champion, did not disappoint in his long-awaited 2007 debut, rolling to a 1:54.1 victory in the $85,000 Historic Dickerson Cup on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

When the wings of the starting gate folded, driver Ron Pierce was content to settle Donato Hanover in fourth along the rail and let Don’t Blink Twice do all the work up front. Pierce tipped his charge out past the half and let him slowly grind his way up to the pacesetter before pulling away to a length victory over Anderberg. Sent off the 1-5 favorite, Donato Hanover paid $2.40, $2.40 and $2.10 to win the evening’s third race. Anderberg returned $4.00, $2.10 to place, while Conway Court was worth $2.10 to show.

Donato Hanover stamped himself the frontrunner for the $1.5 million Hambletonian, harness racing’s most prestigious event, on August 4 at the Meadowlands. Trained by Steve Elliott, the son of Andover Hall won eight of nine starts at two, including the Peter Haughton Memorial and Breeders Crown. He entered the Dickerson Cup with three sharp morning qualifier miles [1:54.3, 1:54.1 and 1:53.3] under his belt.

Earlier in the evening, Lady Mattgalane took the $56,000 Ladyship Stake for 3-year-old pacing fillies in 1:52 for driver Brian Sears and trainer Greg Peck. The Ladyship was contested as a non-wagering event prior to the start of the card.

Maryanne K was victorious in the first of two $44,000 Coaching Club Oaks divisions for sophomore trotting fillies. She lowered her mark to 1:54.1 in the evening’s second race for driver Mike Lachance and trainer Ron Gurfein.