Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Donato Hanover wins Trotting Classic

September 16, 2007

Donato Hanover, driven by Ron Pierce, put in a flawless performance in the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.

Sent postward the 1-2 favorite, the once-beaten Donato Hanover was expected to receive his biggest tussle from the unbeaten Val Taurus. But that rival, driven by Trevor Ritchie, made a break right at the start and was out of it.

In the meantime, Pampered Princess and John Campbell took the field to the quarter pole in :27.1, but soon they were challenged and then passed by Donato Hanover, last year's champion 2-year-old trotter, and the winner of the famed Hambletonian this year.

DonatoHanoverCanaTrotClassic

                                   Donato Hanover & Ron Pierce

The son of Andover Hall reached the half in :56.2, then the three\-quarters in 1:25.2. When the field turned for home, Donato Hanover, trained by Steve Elliott, was two lengths in front, with Pampered Princess on his tail. But in deep stretch, he found another gear and pulled away to a three length win in 1:54.

Pampered Princess, the only filly in the race, hung on for second, while Laddie closed for third.

Donato Hanover, who remained perfect in 2007 with his eighth win tonight, pocketed C$500,000. Overall, he's won 16 of 17 starts, losing only his debut last year when finishing third.

It was the third Canadian Trotting Classic win for Pierce, who also drove Mr Muscleman in 2003 and Classic Photo in 2005 into victory lane.

$1 Million Canadian Trotting Classic Mohawk Raceway Saturday, Sept 15, 2007
PP Horse                            Driver
3 Donato Hanover                  Ron Pierce
7 Pampered Princess             John Campbell
4 Laddie                                Paul MacDonnell
8 Mythical Lindy                     Dave Miller
5 Up Front Larry                     Rick Zeron
6 Quite Easy                          Jody Jamieson
1 Photo Maxx                         Chris Christoforou
10 Arch Madness                    T Smedshammer
9 Rune                                 M Johansson
2 Val Taurus                         Trevor Ritchie
27.1 56.2 1:25.2 1:54