by Adam Packard, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA –– Not only does Sweet Deal Hanover make his return to the races on Thursday night at the Meadows, newcomers like Dunkster, Flo N Easy and Solicitor Hanover will also do battle in a $9,500 Preferred Trot.

Sweet Deal Hanover, a first or second place finisher in all of his nine starts on the season, returns after a 33-day layoff. The Bill Zendt-trained gelding has won four of his last five starts, all of which were in the Preferred. After a 2:02 winning qualifier over a “sloppy” track, Sweet Deal Hanover should be ready to start where he left off. Although the morning line favorite, Sweet Deal Hanover will have to do it from post eight for the Harmony Spring Stable.

The leader of the new faces is Solicitor Hanover and driver Mike Wilder. The five-year-old gelding went on lasix for his qualifier on May 13 at the Meadows and dominated a field of six in 1:55. The win was the fastest in his career. John Chiovetta owns for trainer Mickey Burke, who claimed Solicitor Hanover for $20,000 on April 13. The Sierra Kosmos offspring will likely be placed near the front and is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line.

Flo N Easy, a track record holder, is one of two mares in the race. She made her Meadows debut last week for driver Dave Palone and not only shattered her best time, but also the track record for older trotting mares. The John Sokol-trainee won the Preferred in 1:55.1 last week and is saddled with post four on Thursday.

Dunkster hasn’t raced at the Meadows since July of 2004, where he won two of the three starts he made at the Meadows. Dean Davis owns for trainer Kurt Sugg. Recently, Dunkster has been racing at Yonkers Raceway, Hazel Park and Scioto Downs. This will be his fifth different track in five weeks. The well traveled chestnut gelding has won five of 14 starts and has banked $33,080 on the season.

Lisa’s Laser, the other mare in the race, and Full Count are also prime contenders.

Post time for Thursday’s 11 race program is 6:00 p.m. Two baby races are scheduled prior to first post. Post times are 5:10 and 5:20 p.m. for the baby races.