Posts picked for $1.5 million trotting classic

Donato Hanover has been installed the even-money morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, leaving from post two after trainer Steve Elliott chose that starting slot at the press conference/draw held Tuesday afternoon.

Elliott had third pick for Donato Hanover in the draw among Hambletonian elimination winners. Trainer Robert Bergh had first pick with Adrian Chip—the 5-1 third choice—and he selected post three, and then trainer Jimmy Takter did not hesitate when he took post four with his filly Pampered Princess—the 3-1 second choice. The remaining seven horses then had an open draw for the remaining post positions.

While taking the first pick of post three, Bergh amused the gathering by simply stating, “I like number three,” when asked his reason for choosing that starting slot with the horse that prepped for this year’s race in Sweden. Takter then followed, saying, “I like the four post; I think it’s a good spot. The filly can get a little bit better control where she wants to be in the race.”

Elliott then admitted he would have chosen post three had he drew the first pick, but with his hand forced he decided to move inside his two main rivals. Donato Hanover will be aiming for his 13^th straight victory in the Hambletonian; he has won five straight this year.

“He seems ready for this race, hopefully we’ll get lucky,” said Elliott of Donato Hanover, who is attempting to become the first Peter Haughton Memorial winner to come back the following year and win the Hambletonian. “It’s been an easy ride so far this year, a little bit easier than we thought it’d be.”

As Pampered Princess attempts to become the 14^th filly to win the Hambletonian, and the first since Continentalvictory in 1996. Driver Tim Tetrick got the call behind the world-champion filly in the Hambo elims because regular reinsman John Campbell had to drive Flirtin Man, a trotter he co-owns. Tetrick, 25, is the sport’s runaway leading driver by wins and earnings this year, and he expressed confidence in his charge’s chances Saturday against Donato Hanover and the eight other colts entered.

“That’s why they have these races, and why Jimmy (Takter) felt confident putting her in with the colts,” said Tetrick. “If they thought Donato was the winner they would go ahead and give him the money. But he’s not yet so they’ve got her to beat.”

Here is the complete draw for the Hambletonian, which can be seen on NBC from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with post time for the race scheduled for 4:15 p.m.:

PP        Horse (Driver)  Morning Line

1          Don’t Blink Twice (Cat Manzi) 30-1

2          Donato Hanover (Ron Pierce)   1-1

3          Adrian Chip (Robert Bergh)      5-1

4          Pampered Princess (Tim Tetrick)          3-1

5          Too Salty (David Miller)           15-1

6          Great Success (Mike Lachance)           15-1

7          Laddie (Paul MacDonell)          15-1

8          Xactly Hanover (Andy Miller)   12-1

9          Please Poppy (Brian Sears)      30-1

10        Flirtin Man (John Campbell)      8-1

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