by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Pampered Princess is no dainty lady when it comes to competing on the racetrack.

Pampered Princess will be looking to become the sport’s newest millionaire on Friday.

She has won 13 of 16 career races and finished second twice. She is on the verge of reaching $1 million in lifetime earnings, needing less than $78,000. Her 1:53.2 victory in her Delvin Miller Memorial elimination race on July 7 at the Meadowlands equaled the fastest win time of the season by any 3-year-old trotter.

The $350,000 Delvin Miller Memorial final is Friday (July 13). It is the final stakes tune-up prior to the eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands on July 28.

Since losing by a neck to Michelle’s Angel in her debut this year, Pampered Princess is three-for-three and no one has been within 2-1/4 lengths of her at the finish line.

“She’s gotten stronger since the first time she qualified and her first race at Mohawk,” said driver John Campbell, who would be perfect in 11 races with Pampered Princess if not for that loss by a neck earlier this year. “She’s gotten stronger and sharper as we’ve gone along, which is a good sign.

“Last year, she was a really nice filly to go with; very professional. She’s even taken that to the next level this year. She’s a very easy filly to drive, which makes my job easier.”

Pampered Princess, who is trained by Jimmy Takter, was the 2006 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly trotter. She is one of just two 2-year-old fillies to ever win a race in less than 1:55; the other was world champion Possess The Magic, who also races in the Delvin Miller Memorial.

USTA/Anna Svensson photos

Adam Hanley polishes the racebike that Pampered Princess will use in the Delvin Miller Memorial.

“I’m not going to get into what she can do in the future, but I will say she’s got an unbelievable high turn of speed,” Campbell said. “She’s very talented and gifted with her gait. I just have to point her in the right direction; I’ve got the easy part of the deal.”

In addition to Pampered Princess and Possess The Magic, the Delvin Miller Memorial field includes Apecs, Falls For You, Fuego, Gerri’s Joy, Granny Gui, Michelle’s Angel, Right On Renee, and Sing Me To Sleep. Falls For You, who won the 2006 Goldsmith Maid at the Meadowlands last December, and Granny Gui joined Pampered Princess in winning elimination races on July 6.

“I was pretty impressed with some of those fillies that won other divisions,” Campbell said. “I’m sure (Possess The Magic) is going to be a factor. It’s not an easy race; there are four or five in there that are really high-class fillies. We want to get as good a trip as possible.”