Fans of harness racing have been patiently waiting for the showdown between two of the sport's most talented trotting mares -- Ariana G and Hannelore Hanover. The possibility of a Hambletonian Day match-up, however, doesn't appear to be in the cards.
This past Saturday, both Hannelore Hanover and Ariana G were victorious in separate stakes events at The Meadowlands. Early on the card, Hannelore Hanover wired her competition and remained undefeated in six starts this season, taking the second division of the Miss Versatility second preliminary in a track-record mile of 1:50.2.
That mile time matched the mark of Ariana G set one week prior.
Later on the card Ariana G coasted to victory in the $405,850 Hambletonian Maturity, going one-and-one-eighth miles in a time of 2:05. After the race, trainer Jimmy Takter stated that the next start would be on Hambletonian Day and confirmed that it would be in the John Cashman Memorial Trot, the open trotting event formerly known as the Nat Ray.
The next scheduled start was also noted by the Meadowlands' media team, who stated that Ariana G would be pointed to the Cashman.
According to the eligibility lists posted on the Meadowlands' website, however, Ariana G is not eligible to the John Cashman Memorial and the race does not allow for supplemental entries. Ariana G is eligible to the Dr. John Steele Memorial for trotting mares.
Hannelore Hanover is eligible to both the Cashman and the Steele, with co-owner Frank Baldachino confirming that all signs point to the reigning 2017 Horse of the Year racing in the more lucrative Cashman.
However, the following race for both trotting titans could in fact result in a head-to-head contest as both mares are paid up to the Joie De Vie Trot at Tioga Downs on Sunday, August 12.
(Photos: USTA/Ken Weingartner)