Wed Jul 25 09:56:04 2007

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Field of 21 set for Hambletonian

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East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Donato Hanover, the prohibitive early favorite, is among 21 horses entered in the $1.7 million Hambletonian, to be run Saturday, August 4 at the Meadowlands.

There are three $70,000 elimination races to be contested this Saturday night to determine the field for the Hambletonian. The top three finishers in each elimination, plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest career earnings, will advance to harness racing's elite event.

Donato Hanover, who won the $400,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 14 for his 11th straight victory, will be driven by Ron Pierce and start from post seven in the second of three elimination races.

Trained by Steve Elliott, Donato Hanover's only loss in 12 career starts was during his debut on June 22, 2006.

Filly Pampered Princess will be guided by Tim Tetrick to highlight the first elimination race. She earned her fourth consecutive win in the $350,000 Del Miller Memorial and will become the 160th filly to compete in the Hambletonian. A total of 13 have won the final, with Continentalvictory the last in 1996.

The following are the horses with post positions for the three elimination races.

RACE 1

1 - Bayside Volo

2 - Western Prayer

3 - Arch Madness

4 - Please Poppy

5 - Pampered Princess

6 - Xactly Hanover

7 - Laddie

RACE 2

1 - Claudius Augustus

2 - Operation Lindy

3 - Flirtin Man

4 - Great Success

5 - The Liquidator

6 - Primary AS

7 - Donato Hanover

RACE 3

1- Got That Look

2 - Don't Blink Twice

3 - Monkey Bones

4 - Mythical Lindy

5 - Too Salty

6 - Adrian Chip

7 - Standpoint