East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - Leading three-year-old trotter Mr. Pine Chip is the 7-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's $1.5 million Hambletonian. This will be the 81st renewal of harness racing's most prestigious event.

Ten trotters will go postward Saturday afternoon at The Meadowlands for the one mile race. The Hambletonian is the first leg of trotting's Triple Crown.

The ten participants were determined last Saturday in two elimination races. A total of 13 trotters were entered for the elimination events.

Mr. Pine Chip won the first elimination race as a 2-5 favorite. For the Hambletonian final he will start from post six with driver Brian Sears. Mr. Pine Chip is trained by Trond Smedshammer, who also has Blue Mac Lad and Here Comes Herbie in the race.

Mr. Pine Chip is owned by Joe Sbrocco and Southwind Farm. The trotter has won 11 of 19 races for more than $570,000 and is undefeated in six 2006 starts. His last three starts have been at the New Jersey track.

Here Comes Herbie won last week's second elimination and is 9-2 in the morning line. He will start from post four with Smedshammer in the sulky.

Owned by Cutting Edge Stable, Here Comes Herbie has won six of 13 career starts for better than $180,000.

Smedshammer's third entrant, Blue Mac Lad, will start from post two with driver George Brennan. Blue Mac Lad is 8-1 in the program.

Last year's champion two-year-old, Chocolatier, will start from the far outside post. He will be driven by D.R. Ackerman and is 4-1 in the morning line.

Trainer Doug Ackerman is not too happy with his horse's draw. "We could have done better," noted Ackerman.

Completing the field for the Hambletonian are Algiers Hall, Capetown Hall, Global Glide, Berto Primo, Glidemaster and Race Fan.

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman will present the Hambletonian trophy to the winner Saturday at The Meadowlands.

The 81st Hambletonian at The Meadowlands will be televised live on CBS. The program from the northern New Jersey track will begin at 2 p.m. (et).