A total of 24 three-year-old colt and gelding trotters are now in pursuit of harness racing's greatest prize, the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands

Racetrack.

The 2010 contenders were divided among three $70,000 eliminations to be raced Saturday, July 31. The top three in each elim, plus the richest fourth-place finisher overall, will advance to the $1.5 million Hambletonian final on Saturday, August 7. Elim winners earn the right to choose their starting posts for the final at a live draw on Wednesday, August 4.

The 2009 Peter Haughton Memorial victor Holiday Road, reigning divisional champion Lucky Chucky and Stanley Dancer division winner Muscle Massive lead the competition for a Hambletonian starting spot.

Holiday Road is perfect in two starts this season for trainer Greg Peck, who won the 2009 Hambletonian with Horse of the Year Muscle Hill. The colt set a mark of 1:52.4 in the Dickerson Cup on July 2 and cruised to a 1:54 win in his Stanley Dancer Memorial division on July 17. Last year, the son of Yankee Glide-Jambo won three of six starts and $352,800.

Lucky Chucky, a strong second to Holiday Road in his Dancer division, will face his rival once again face in their Hambletonian elim. The son of 2004 Hambletonian winner Windsongs Legacy will try to become the fourth straight freshman champion to win the Hambletonian at age three. His driver, John Campbell (six), and trainer, Chuck Sylvester (four), have a combined 10 Hambletonian trophies and two together (Muscles Yankee and Mack Lobell). Lucky Chucky won nine of 12 races and never missed the board during his prolific four-year-old campaign. He enters the Hambletonian with just two starts under his belt after a fever delayed his 2010 debut.

Muscle Massive tops the list of four horses entered by trotting master Jimmy Takter. The New Jersey Sire Stakes champion finished second to Holiday Road in the Dickerson Cup, then won his Dancer division in 1:53.4. Yonkers Trot winner On The Tab, Hard Livin and Senor Glide complete the Takter quartet. The Swedish-born trainer finished first and second with Malabar Man and Take Chances in 1997. Trond Smedshammer also has three barrels to fire in the eliminations: Break The Bank K, Boztheman and recent addition Pilgrims Taj, the 2009 Breeders Crown Champion.

A trio of eliminations for the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks, the companion event for fillies, will also be contested July 31. Poof Shes Gone, the 2009 divisional champion, leads the list of 23 competitors.

Race numbers will be assigned when the rest of the Saturday draw is completed late Wednesday afternoon. Post time for the Saturday card is 7 p.m. Outdoor festivities include a Beer & BBQ Dinner featuring unlimited samplings and an all-you-can-eat buffet. Walk-ups are welcome. Go to MeadowlandsRacetrack.com for more information.

Hambletonian Eliminations

Elimination #1
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Take My Picture - Jeff Gregory
2. On The Tab - David Miller
3. Temple Of Doom - David Miller
4. Pretty Boy Lindy - Tim Tetrick
5. Cassis - Tim Tetrick
6. Boztheman - Brian Sears
7. Arriba Amigo - Trevor Ritchie
8. Wishing Stone - John Campbell or Ron Pierce

Elimination #2
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Mystery Photo - Andy Ray Miller
2. Holiday Road - Brian Sears
3. Coco Lindy - Tim Tetrick
4. Break the Bank K - Dave Palone
5. Lucky Chucky - John Campbell
6. Senor Glide - Daniel Dube
7. Hes A Demon - Jody Jamieson
8. Plan B In HD - John Campbell

Elimination #3
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Muscle Massive - Ron Pierce
2. Winning Fireworks - John Campbell
3. Perseverando - TBA
4. Pilgrims Taj - Mike Lachance
5. Pilgrims Chuckie - Mike Lachance
6. Flex The Muscle - Ray Schnittker
7. Hard Livin - Yannick Gingras
8. RC Gallent Image - George Brennan

Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations

Elimination #1
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Behindclosedoors - Tim Tetrick
2. Orizaba - George Brennan
3. Merger Blue Chip - David Miller
4. Offbroadway De Vie - Tim Tetrick
5. Ultimate Cameron - Trevor Ritchie
6. Boinga - David Miller
7. Cantab It All - Daniel Dube
8. Spicy Wings - John Campbell

Elimination #2
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Fashion Feline - Brian Sears
2. Southwind Samurai - John Campbell
3. Crown Laurel - Mike Lachance
4. Springtime Volo - George Brennan
5. Wingbat - Tim Tetrick
6. In The Mean Time - David Miller
7. Levis Lady - Dave Palone
8. Costa Rica - Ron Pierce

Elimination #3
PP - Horse - Driver
1. Fortunes Dream - Jody Jamieson
2. Bone A Fide - Yannick Gingras
3. Glide Power - Brian Sears
4. Bramalea Hanover - David Miller
5. Bar Slide - Tim Tetrick
6. Impressive Kemp - Mike Vanderkemp
7. Poof Shes Gone - David Miller

(Meadowlands Racetrack)