by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Centurion ATM made a statement to be the early favorite for next year’s Hambletonian by winning Saturday’s (Aug. 2) $355,500 Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters by 3-3/4 lengths over Uncle Lasse, stopping the timer in a stakes- and track-record 1:53.2 at the Meadowlands.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Centurion ATM qualified as the early favorite in next year’s Hambletonian by easily winning the Peter Haughton in a stakes- and track-record on Saturday at The Meadowlands.

Trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt, Centurion ATM took the lead on the backstretch and never looked back.

Canepa Hanover and Guess Whos Back, both among Centurion ATM’s challengers heading toward the final turn, went off stride, as did longshot Amicus.

Cruzado Dela Noche finished third. Centurion ATM, the even-money favorite, paid $4.20 to win.

A son of stallion SJ’s Caviar out of the mare ENS Tag Session, Centurion ATM has won two of four starts for owners Knutsson Trotting and Courant A B. He was purchased for $100,000 at the 2013 Standardbred Horse Sale and is a full brother to stakes-winner Triumphant Caviar.

Centurion ATM has won $207,364 in his career.

“It’s awesome, absolutely fantastic,” co-owner Michael Knutsson said. “Especially on this day. It’s fantastic.”

Last week, Centurion ATM won the single elimination for the Haughton Memorial by 3-1/2 lengths over Uncle Lasse in 1:54.2. It was Centurion ATM’s first victory after second-place finishes in his first two races.

“He’s a racehorse,” Svanstedt said prior to the final. “He trained from the beginning and he was a normal horse until he qualified. Then he was something special. Before the qualifier, he did the job and was a nice and friendly horse, but he was nothing special. He loves to race.”