Horse Racing | Colt captures Hambletonian

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As the leaders came off the final turn and approached the stretch, a much-anticipated battle of the sexes was playing out in the $1.5 million Hambletonian harness race on Saturday.

Talented filly Pampered Princess dug her hooves into the Meadowlands' surface and joined Donato Hanover in a duel for the lead in trotting's most prestigious event. But driver Ron Pierce nudged the lines on Donato Hanover and the colt showed everyone why he is the king of the 3-year-olds.

After holding off the challenge by Pampered Princess on the final turn, Donato Hanover fended off Adrian Chip down the stretch to capture the Hambletonian for his 13th straight victory.

"Hopefully, this horse will continue to do what he has done and make believers out of the nonbelievers," said trainer Steve Elliott, who wiped away a tear after his colt crossed the finish line.

The soft-spoken Elliott said the hoopla surrounding the colt-filly matchup was great for the sport, not a distraction.

"It made everybody step up and take notice, which is what we need in this business," Elliott said.

Donato Hanover was the top 2-year-old colt last year. Pampered Princess, the top filly, faded in the stretch and finished out of the money. She crossed the line in seventh and was placed sixth.

Donato Hanover covered the mile in 1 minute, 53-2/5 seconds and beat Adrian Chip by 1-¼ lengths. He paid $4 to win.

Thoroughbred races

• Dream Rush ($4.50 to win) led virtually all the way in the Grade I Darley Test for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Dream Rush, trained by Rick Violette Jr. and ridden by Eibar Coa, ran 7 furlongs in 1:22-2/5 and finished 2 lengths ahead of 30-1 runner-up Boca Grande in the $250,000 race.

"It wasn't my plan to take the lead," Coa said. "I wanted just to break and sit. But I broke in front and nobody went, and that's why I took the lead that easy. But it worked out perfect."

• Steve Asmussen-trained Zanjero ($8) edged Bwana Bull by a nose to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer in Chester.

Zanjero, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, ran 1-1/8 miles in 1:53. The owners of Bwana Bull, who was sent off at 20-1 in the Grade III race, include Mark Dedomenico and George Todaro of Seattle.

• Precious Kitten ($3.40) defeated Dancing Edie by 1-½ lengths to take the Grade I John C. Mabee Handicap at Del Mar, near San Diego. The 4-year-old filly, trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, ran 1-1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:46-1/5 in the $400,000 race.