Canada will be well represented during the 14 stakes race bonanza on Hambletonian Day at Meadowlands Racetrack this weekend, led by a strong Marvin Katz contingent.
Toronto's Katz bred or shares in the ownership of seven Hambletonian Day stakes starters with fellow Canadians Al Libfeld of Pickering, Ont., Sam Goldband of Toronto, Ont., Louie Camara of Puslinch, Ont. and Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont. among his partners. John and Jim Fielding of Toronto and Ottawa, Ont.'s Melvin Hartman will also send out multiple starters during the card.
The following lists the stakes horses competing with owners, breeders, trainers and/or drivers based in Canada.
The Duenna for three-year-old trotting fillies will kick off the card on Saturday with Talbotcreek Jewely and last year's Matron Stakes winner Southwind Moni facing off in the first $30,000 division while Starglow Hall and Latte Hall will race in the second division set for race three.
The second race $253,700 Lady Liberty for older pacing mares will feature Rebeka Bayama, double millionaire Put On A Show, and Valdonna.
New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Sarandon Blue Chip and Rockaround Sue, elimination winner and morning line favourite, will be vying for the Miss New Jersey title in the $125,000 fourth stakes race for New Jersey sired three-year-old pacing fillies.
Acquavella is the lone two-year-old pacing filly with Canadian connections in the $268,300 Sweetheart while freshman colts Emeritus Maximus and big ticket yearling purchases Captaintreacherous and Source Of Pride will star in the following $309,050 Woodrow Wilson.
The $354,450 Merrie Annabelle for two-year-old trotting fillies features Find The Magic, undefeated To Dream On and Miss Steele competing for glory.
Corky will aim to capture the $387,250 Peter Haughton for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Among the older trotting ranks, defending Vincennes Invitational Trot champion Rose Run Hooligan will start in this year's $50,000 ninth race while Tall Cotton, Maple Leaf Trot champion Mister Herbie and O'Brien Award winner Daylon Magician, who recently won the Masters Stakes, will face off in the $250,000 Nat Ray Invitational.
Superstar Hanover and New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Personal Style will tackle their fellow three-year-old trotting fillies in the $714,050 Hambletonian Oaks.
Elimination winners Uncle Peter and Knows Nothing, Ontario Sires Stakes Gold champion Prestidigitator and Guccio will take the spotlight in the featured $1.5 million Hambletonian.
Millioniare pacer Aracache Hanover will compete in the $242,500 U.S. Pacing Championship again after finishing second in last year's edition.
Elimination winners Time To Roll and Hurrikane Kingcole, Panther Hanover, last year's Metro Pace winner Simply Business and All Stienam will knock heads in the $275,000 New Jersey Classic for New Jersey sired sophomore pacing colts and geldings.