Meadowlands: A Donato Hanover double in Del Miller Memorials

Donna Soprano an O'Brien Award winner as a 2-year-old, captured her first race as a sophomore, scoring in the first of two Del Miller Memorial divisions worth on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. A daughter of Donato Hanover, Donna Soprano scored in a career-best 1:51 3/5 with Dan Dube in the sulky.

There was plenty of action early in the $142,000 race, with May Karp, Flawless Country, and favored Beltassima all leaving hard. May Karp ceded the top to Flawless Country before the 27 flat opening quarter. Driver Andy McCarthy waited and then rushed to the front heading down the backstretch with Beltassima.

After a 55 1/5 half was reached, Dube took Donna Soprano on a march up without cover, and the Luc Blais-trained filly moved with purpose to gain on to fairly equal terms with the favorite through a 1:24 1/5 three-quarters. Altar and Imhatra Am S followed cover second- and
third-over into contention, but in the homestretch it became a two-filly match race, with Donna Soprano getting the better of Beltassima in the late stages and easily holding off the competition with a 27 2/5 final quarter. Beltassima finished second, with May Karp squeezing between horses for third.

"When I popped the earplugs she took off," said Dube following the victory.

Sent off as the 3-1 second choice in the field, Donna Soprano returned $8.20. Owned by Determination, Donna Soprano won for the sixth time in 11 career starts.

"She raced big," said Luc Blais, her winning trainer. “When you don't race her hard early, she gives you everything finishing."

Donato Hanover-sired fillies then ended up sweeping the Del Miller Memorials when You Ato Dream captured the $139,500 second division for owner-trainer-driver Jeff Gregory. You Ato Dream won for the fourth time in 2021, posting a 1:52 2/5 mile, a career-best.

Favored Lady Chaos and David Miller stepped out to control the field of seven on the first turn as Mazzarati yielded for the pocket. Gregory put You Ato Dream into a three-hole, but once the quarter was clocked in 28 flat, he sent his filly to the top with a quick move. You Ato Dream waltzed to the half in 56 4/5 and waited for a challenge. Darlene Hanover and Scott Zeron obliged the leader but didn't pose enough of an immediate concern, allowing You Ato Dream and Gregory to reach three-quarters in a pedestrian 1:25 clocking.

You Ato Dream picked up the bit and drew clear in early stretch, but Gregory had to remind the filly to keep to her game as Lady Chaos closed in between horses and Hot As Hill threatened on the far outside.

You Ato Dream, a 5-2 offering, returned $7 to win, with Lady Chaos holding the place spot ahead of Hot As Hill. Gregory shares ownership with W. Richardson, G. Romanoff, and M. Garey.

"She raced super," Gregory said following the win. "I think she can go with any of them in the division."

Gregory said the Hambletonian Oaks would be next on You Ato Dream's stakes calendar.