Take a closer look at the maternal side of this year's Hambletonian contenders and a strong representation of the Canadian breeding industry is revealed.

Of the 11 horses entered in this year's Hambletonian, widely considered to be one of the most prestigious Standardbred races on the planet, four of the broodmares campaigned in Sires Stakes programs in Ontario and Quebec.

The most notable broodmare connection comes from Trixton, whose dam Emilie Cas El was named Canada's Horse of the Year 20 years ago. In 1994, the Dustin Jones trained and driven daughter of Garland Lobell went undefeated as a two-year-old, so dominant that she was barred from pari-mutuel wagering in each of her 13 starts. Bred by Ferme Angus of Quebec, Emilie Cas El is now 22 and resides in Paris, Kentucky at the farm of Steve Stewart. Trixton is the tenth foal of Emilie Cas El, who has also produced world champion three-year-old Impressive Kemp.

While not achieving the level of success of Emilie Cas El in Quebec, Le Reve was a serious contender in the provincial Sires Stakes program in her own right. Bred by famed French horseman Jean Pierre Dubois' Ecurie Reve Avec Moi, Le Reve eventually retired to the broodmare ranks and produced Cantab Hall colt Il Sogno Dream. That Pennsylvania-bred son was purchased as a yearling by a group of Canadians, making him one of two fully Canadian-owned Hambletonian contenders.

The Ontario Sires Stakes program also has representation from two broodmares. The dam of Doncango is B Cor Tamgo, bred by Dresden's Peter Core. The A Go Go Lauxmont mare has turned into a prolific producer for Pennsylvania's Fashion Farm -- already the dam of the undefeated Broadway Hall and Grand Circuit stakes winner Tom Cango -- but Doncango is her first Hambletonian starter.

Quintessential K might not have been a household name in Ontario's racing circles but the King Conch mare did manage to win a handful of OSS events for Michigan's Terry Tomlin before her current tenure as a broodmare. Her first foal is Donato Hanover gelding Don Durado.

Also worth mentioning because of her roots to Canada is the dam of Resolve, Anikawiesahalee. The daughter of Credit Winner is co-owned by Edward Wilson of Seagrave, Ont.

Woodbine Entertainment Group has compiled a list of Canadian connections racing on Saturday's Hambletonian Day card. Here is their list of the Canadian connections in Saturday's stake races at the Meadowlands.

Race 2: $52,000 Ima Lula Final

#2 Rockin With Dewey – Co-owned and trained by Ben Baillargeon (Rockwood, ON) and co-owned by Diane Ingham (Rockwood, ON).

#7 Bee A Magician – Co-owned by Mel Hartman (Ottawa, ON)

Race 3: $100,000 Miss New Jersey

#3 Gettingreadytoroll – Co-owned by John and Jim Fielding (Toronto, ON).

Race 4: $225,000 New Jersey Classic

#2 Western Vintage – Co-owned by Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON).

Race 5: $257,700 US Pacing Championship

#2 State Treasurer – Owned by Sally MacDonald (Souris, PE) and Paul MacDonald (Regina, SK). Trained by Dr. Ian Moore (Guelph, ON)

#3 Thinking Out Loud – Co-owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. (Windsor, ON) and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. (Leamington, ON). Trained by Bob McIntosh (Windsor, ON).

#4 Sunfire Blue Chip – Co-owned by John and Jim Fielding (Toronto, ON).

#8 Captaintreacherous – Co-owned by Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON).

Race 6: $352,050 Merrie Annabelle Final

#1 Lilu Hanover – Owned by Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON) and Al Libfeld (Pickering, ON).

#4 Sarcy – Owned by John and Jim Fielding (Toronto, ON).

#8 Livingthefastlane – Owned by Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON), Al Libfeld (Pickering, ON) and Sam Goldband (Toronto, ON).

Race 7: $355,500 Peter Haughton Memorial Final

#2 Canepa Hanover – Co-owned by Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON) and Al Libfeld (Pickering, ON).

#5 Guess Whos Back – Co-owned by Brad Shackman (Calgary, AB)

#7 Uncle Lasse – Co-owned by John Fielding (Toronto, ON).

Race 10: $75,000 Vincennes – Free For All Invitational

#4 Slip Into Glide – Co-owned and trained by Ben Ballargeon (Rockwood, ON) and co-owned by Craig Turner (Ingersoll, ON).

Race 11: $300,650 John Cashman Jr. Memorial Final

#5 Uncle Peter – Co-owned by John and Jim Fielding (Toronto, ON).

#7 Mister Herbie – Co-owned by Jeff Gillis (Hillsburgh, ON) and Mac Nichol (Burlington, ON).

#8 Intimidate – Owned by Determination (Westmount, QC) and Judith Farrow (Hemmingford, QC). Trained by Luc Blais (Lochaber Ouest, QC).

Race 12: $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks Final

#1 Designed To Be – Owned by Al Libfeld (Pickering, ON) and Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON).

#11 Shake It Cerry – Co-owned by John Fielding (Toronto, ON)

Race 13: $1,006,125 Hambletonian Final

#8 Il Sogno Dream – Owned by Bill Manes (Rockwood, ON), Dan Manes (Erin, ON), Leonard Christopher (Acton, ON) and Randy Christopher (Rockwood, ON)

#9 Harper Blue Chip – Owned by Landmark 6 Racing Stable (Kingston, ON), David McDonald (Cornwall, ON), David Reid (Glenburnie, ON) and George Judson (Athens, ON). Trained by Mark Steacy (Landsdowne, ON)

#10 Father Patrick – Co-owned by John Fielding (Toronto, ON), Marvin Katz (Toronto, ON), Al Libfeld (Pickering, ON) and Sam Goldband (Toronto ON)

Race 14: $177,750 Lady Liberty Final

#9 Mattie Terror Girl – Owned by Big Als Stable Inc. (Woodbridge, ON).

To view entries and program pages for Saturday's star-studded card of harness racing at The Meadowlands, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Meadowlands - Hambletonian Day Program Pages.

(with files from WEG)