Thirteen proved to be a lucky number in the $1.5 million Hambletonian for Donato Hanover as he extended his win-streak to 13, capturing harness racing’s most prestigious race at the Meadowlands.

Swedish invader Adrian Chip, owned by NHL great Peter Forsberg, was fastest away from the gate and led the field past the quarter in a slow 28.2 seconds.

Driver Ron Pierce wasted no time moving even-money favorite Donato Hanover, trained by Steve Elliott, to the front, getting the lead well before the pedestrian half time of 58.2.

“I wanted to come from the back today, but as slow as we were going I had no choice but to tip him and go, and then I backed into everybody and I was surprised nobody came sooner,” Pierce said.

“It makes you feel pretty good when you get to walk to the half and it’s your race to win or lose,” Elliott said.

The race set up as a battle of the sexes and the competitors didn’t disappoint as the filly Pampered Princess (3-1 second choice) and driver Tim Tetrick took aim at Donato just past the halfway mark.

The two champions dueled to the three-quarter mile marker in 1:26, but the colt proved too strong as the filly faded to seventh.

“I took a shot at Donato in a speed duel,” Tetrick said. “She got tired late because I extended her. I tried to win, it just didn’t work out.”

“I wanted my horse to see [Pampered Princess] because he’s been getting a little bored up front. I wanted him to see another horse so he’d show a little more interest in the lane,”Pierce said.

In the stretch, Donato Hanover had to hold off a challenge from the pocket-sitting Adrian Chip and trainer/driver Robert Bergh, but Donato would not be denied, giving Elliott his first Hambletonian victory and Pierce his second.

“Adrian Chip looked good out there too, he was smoking, so I reached up and I just tapped Donato a couple of times so he kept going,” said Pierce.

“We lost to a better horse, who impressed me today,” Bergh said. “I thought in the last 300 meters we could get him but we came up short.”

Donato Hanover paid $4.00 to win.