Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Donato Hanover Wins Debut at The Big M

June 29, 2007

Donato Hanover, last year’s two-year-old colt trotting champion, did not disappoint in his long-awaited 2007 debut, rolling to a 1:54.1 victory in the $85,000 Historic Dickerson Cup Friday night at the Meadowlands.

When the wings of the starting gate folded, driver Ron Pierce was content to settle Donato Hanover in fourth along the rail and let Don’t Blink Twice do all the work up front. Pierce tipped his charge out past the half and let him slowly grind his way up to the pacesetter before pulling away to a length victory over Anderberg. Conway Court was third.

Donato Hanover stamped himself the frontrunner for the $1.5 million Hambletonian, harness racing’s most prestigious event, on August 4 at the Meadowlands. Trained by Steve Elliott, the son of Andover Hall won eight of nine starts at two, including the Peter Haughton Memorial and Breeders Crown. He entered the Dickerson Cup with three sharp morning qualifier miles [1:54.3, 1:54.1 and 1:53.3] under his belt.

Earlier in the evening, Lady Mattgalane took the $56,000 Ladyship Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies in 1:52 for driver Brian Sears and trainer Greg Peck. The Ladyship was contested as a non-wagering race.

Maryanne K was victorious in the first of two $44,000 Coaching Club Oaks divisions for sophomore trotting fillies. She lowered her mark to 1:54.1 in the evening’s second race for driver Mike Lachance and trainer Ron Gurfein.

...wins his sophomore debut Friday night at The
Meadowlands in the $85,000 Dickerson Cup in 1:54.1

$85,000 Dickerson Cup The Meadowlands Friday, June 29, 2007
PP Horse                          Driver
7 Donato Hanover               Ron Pierce
5 Anderberg                      George Brennen
6 Conway Court                 David Miller
8 Don't Blink Twice             John Campbell
1 Operation Lindy                Andy Miller
3 Altered States                  Cat Manzi
4 Strive For Perfect            Daniel Dube
Scratched: Swanderful
:28      :56.3      1:25.2      1:54.1