East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - The ten trotters that will participate in harness racing's most prestigious event, The Hambletonian, have been determined. Saturday night at The Meadowlands two elimination races were conducted.

Each race had a purse of $100,000 and were needed after 13 three-year-old trotters were entered. The $1.5 million Hambletonian will take place Saturday, August 5. The top five finishers in each elimination advance to the Hambletonian Final.

The first elimination, with a field of six, was won by 2-5 favorite Mr. Pine Chip. Driven by Brian Sears, Mr. Pine Chip trotted the mile in 1:53 4/5. The colt posted a 3/4-length win over Glidemaster. Also advancing to Saturday's Hambletonian are Blue Mac Lad, Global Glide and Algiers Hall. Finishing last was MacDeen Star.

Mr. Pine Chip is trained by Trond Smedshammer and owned by Joe Sbrocco and Southwind Farm. Smedshammer was the winning driver and trainer of the 2004 Hambletonian with Windsong's Legacy. Windsong's Legacy went on to sweep the 2004 Trotting Triple Crown. In his career, Mr. Pine Chip has won 11 of 19 races for more than $570,000.

Mr. Pine Chip returned $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Glidemaster paid $2.60 and $2.10, and Blue Mac Lad paid $2.10 for show.

Smedshammer followed in the second elimination with a victory behind Here Comes Herbie. The native of Norway also trains the colt and has three trotters in the Hambletonian Final. Here Comes Herbie is owned by Cutting Edge Stable. He has won six of 13 career starts for better than $180,000.

Here Comes Herbie trotted the mile in 1:52 flat and won by 1 1/4 lengths. The three-year-old was sent off as the 2-1 second choice to 9-10 favorite Chocolatier.

Finishing second was 2005 champion two-year-old Chocolatier followed by Berto Primo, Capetown Hall and Race Fan. Finishing outside looking in were Ira K and R.C. Royalty.

Here Comes Herbie returned $6.00, $2.40 and $2.20. Chocolatier paid $2.60 and $2.20, and Berto Primo paid $3.20 for show.

Post positions will be drawn for the 81st Hambletonian at The Meadowlands on Tuesday, August 1.