by Ken Warkentin

East Rutherford, NJ — Donato Hanover cruised through the first nine weeks as No. 1 on the Road to the Hambletonian and enters the eliminations on July 28 as one of the biggest favorites since the great Mack Lobell in 1987.

The Andover Hall colt has reeled off 11 straight wins and is three-for-three this season after dominating the Stanley Dancer Memorial. He drew post seven in the second of three eliminations.

“Steve (trainer Steve Elliott) will be tightening him up this week,” said driver Ron Pierce. “I’m very confident and everything is right on schedule.”

In a surprising move, trainer Jimmy Takter entered two-time Dan Patch Award winner Pampered Princess against the boys. The Andover Hall filly won her fourth straight and became a millionaire in the Del Miller Memorial on July 13. She has post five in the first elimination with new pilot Tim Tetrick, the nation’s leader who is on a record pace.

Mythical Lindy, runner-up to Donato Hanover in both his elimination and the final of the Dancer, has drawn post four in the third elimination.

Xactly Hanover unleashed an impressive season’s best mile of 1:52.3 winning a qualifier on July 19. The S J’s Caviar colt has post six in the first elimination.

Primary AS will look to rebound as Trond Smedshammer’s best hope after getting anxious behind the gate and breaking before the start of the Dancer Final. The Malabar Man colt has post six in the second elimination.

Flirtin Man won a qualifier on July 19 in a lifetime best of 1:54.1 and has post three in the second elimination. The Angus Hall colt appears primed for co-owner/driver John Campbell, who’s bidding for a record seven Hambletonian wins.

Adrian Chip set a world record as a freshman and won four of five starts this season in Europe for his new connections, yet the Andover Hall colt remains a mystery here. He’s drawn post six in the third elimination.

Arch Madness easily rallied for his fourth win in seven starts this season in a 3-year-old Open on July 20. The Balanced Image colt has post three in the first elimination.

Great Success responded to equipment changes by finishing second by a nose to Xactly Hanover in a 1:52.3 qualifier on July 10. The son of Self Possessed drew post four in the second elimination.

Laddie was second, placed third for a pylon violation, in a Canadian Breeders elimination on July 21 at Mohawk and the Angus Hall colt drew post seven in the first elimination.

This Week – Last Week – Early Line – Horse – Trainer – Owner
1 – 1 – 4-5 – Donato Hanover – Steve Elliott – D. Scharf, Golden Touch St., S. Arnold,
2 – not listed – 4-1 – Pampered Princess – Jimmy Takter – Bob and David Anderson
3 – 2 – 6-1 – Mythical Lindy – Jim Arledge, Jr. – Thomas York, Jr. and Joe Sbrocco
4 – 4 – 10-1 – Xactly Hanover – Osvaldo Formia – P. Barbato, S. Mathews, T. Abramo, P. Nigito
5 – 3 – 12-1 – Primary AS – Trond Smedshammer – Kittelsen Racing Stables
6 – 5 – 15-1 – Flirtin Man – Gary Napierala – Juniper II, Brittany Farms, Let It Ride Stables
7 – 6 – 15-1 – Adrian Chip – Robert Bergh – Forspro AB
8 – 10 – 20-1 – Arch Madness – Trond Smedshammer – Marc Goldbreg and Willow Pond
9 – not listed – 30-1 – Great Success – Ron Gurfein – Ron Gurfein, Rosalie and Jerry Silva
10 – 7 – 30-1 – Laddie – Paula Wellwood – Wellwood Stables, Inc.