Donato wins qualifier, Always A Virgin also scores

In a final tune-up before the upcoming Breeders Crown, Donato Hanover coasted through a qualifier Friday morning at Gaitway Farms in New Jersey, leading throughout the mile to score in 1:54.4. The 3-year-old son of Andover Hall, who has won 19 straight races and is unbeaten in 11 starts this year, was driven by Ron Pierce.

Donato left from post one in the day’s opening qualifier, and Pierce directed the Steve Elliott trainee through fractions of :29, :58 and 1:26.1 before letting him trot home in :28.3 for the easy victory. If elims are needed, Donato Hanover will aim for his 20th win in a row on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Meadowlands.

Messenger and Cane Pace winner Always A Virgin also came up a winner early in the qualifying session, scoring a 1:54.2 victory in the second race for driver Brian Sears and trainer Joe Holloway. The third qualifier was won by the 3-year-old filly pacer Southwind Tempo, who has not started since posting a 1-3 finish in the two-heat Jugette Sept. 19 at Delaware, Ohio. Co-owner Toby Lynch was behind the Elliott-trained Southwind Tempo as she won in 1:56.

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