by Ken Warkentin

East Rutherford, NJ — Through the first four weeks of the Road to the Hambletonian, Donato Hanover continues to lead the list of top contenders for the August 4 classic.

Following qualifying wins in 1:54.3 and 1:54.1, the Andover Hal colt zipped through a 1:53.3 lifetime best on June 14 after an Open for 3-year-olds failed to fill.

“He’s getting full of himself, and, touch wood, he seems pretty good,” said trainer Steve Elliott. Last year’s champion is slated to make his 2007 debut in the Historic Dickerson Cup on June 29.

Quite Easy easily made it two-for-two in 2007 with a 1:56 mile in the Goodtimes Final at Mohawk on June 16.

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” said John Campbell. “I got to the front early and the horse really swelled up. He never seemed to get tired and I never pulled the plugs.”

Xactly Hanover finished a close third in the Goodtimes Final. The son of SJ’s Caviar will now put in a couple of qualifiers and an overnight before the Hambletonian eliminations.

Mythical Lindy went three-for-three this season, winning his elimination for the Nevele Pride at Monticello in a track record of 1:57.3.

“I was never in doubt any place in the mile, even when he threw a shoe at the quarter pole,” said driver David Miller. Trainer Jim Arledge, Jr. plans on staying away from the Meadowlands until the Hambletonian eliminations.

Arch Madness won the Goodtimes consolation in a career best of 1:53.4.

Monkey Bones finished a strong second from post 10 in the Goodtimes Final, and Standpoint was an even fifth.

Flirtin Man did not race.

Operation Lindy took a new mark of 1:53.3 in round three of the New Jersey Sires Stakes and drew post five in the final on June 21.

“So far, his attitude has changed quite a bit this year,” said trainer Dewayne Minor, who had 2000 Hambletonian finalist and NJSS champion Legendary Lover K. “He always had the speed and this year he’s turned the corner.”

Biz Hub faded to third as the beaten favorite in a NJSS division and drew post 10 in the final on June 21.

This Week, Last Week, Early Line, Horse, Trainer, Owner
1, 1, 9-5, Donato Hanover, Steve Elliott, D. Scharf, Golden Touch St., S. Arnold, Donato Hanover Syndicate
2, 2, 5-2, Quite Easy, Jimmy Takter, Quite Easy Partners
3, 3, 4-1, Xactly Hanover, Osvaldo Formia, P. Barbarto, S. Mathews, T. Abramo, P. Nigito
4, 7, 5-1, Mythical Lindy, Jim Arledge, Jr., Thomas York, Jr. & Joe Sbrocco
5, 8, 6-1, Arch Madness, Trond Smedhammer, Marc Goldberg & Willow Pond
6, Not Listed, 10-1, Monkey Bones, Karen Garland, R. Gary Stevens
7, 4, 12-1, Flirtin Man, Michael Vanderkemp, Juniper II, Brittany Farms, Let It Ride Stables
8, Not Listed, 12-1, Operation Lindy, Dewayne Minor, Cowboyland Aalborg
9, 6, 15-1, Standpoint, Trond Smedshammer, Willow Pond, Theodore Gewertz, Sampson Street Stables
10, 6, 20-1, Biz Hub, Trond Smedshammer, Allister Stables