EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The last three Hambletonians were won by heavy favorites, a streak that could end Saturday in the $1.5 million classic for 3-year-old trotters at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Donato Hanover (2007), Deweycheatumnhowe (2008) and Muscle Hill (2009) all won at odds of even money or less.

No colt has emerged as a dominant figure this year. The 10 horses in the one-mile race appear evenly matched, setting the stage for a possible upset.

Lucky Chucky, last season's champion 2-year-old, is the 5-2 favorite. He would be a stronger choice, except for sitting out a week with a fever in late June.

``He did miss a race with a temperature,'' said trainer Chuck Sylvester. ``It did set him back a little. We'd like to have one more start before this race.''

Sylvester has won this race four times, one shy of the record held jointly by Stanley Dancer, Bill Haughton and Ben White. John Campbell, the all-time leader with six Hambletonian victories, will drive from post No. 2.

Lucky Chucky was one of three winners in last weekend's Hambletonian eliminations. Pilgrims Taj won his elimination in an 8-1 upset. He is the 9-2 third choice from post No. 3.

Cassis is the second choice at 7-2 from the rail. Until last week, Cassis was a question mark on the big mile oval at the Meadowlands. His previous seven wins this year had come on smaller tracks.

``If the Hambletonian was on a half-mile track, he'd crush them,'' said trainer Ray Schnittker. ``But it's not.''

Schnittker was the driver and trainer for Deweycheatumnhowe in the 2008 Hambo. This time, Schnittker will leaving the driving to Tim Tetrick.

The post position draw helped open up the race as Holiday Road got the worst possible spot, post No. 10. Holiday Road was one of the leading juvenile trotters last year, winning the Meadowlands' Peter Haughton Memorial.

``It's a starting point, there isn't anything you can do about it,' said trainer Greg Peck. ``I feel he's the best horse and he'll show it on Saturday.''

Brian Sears, who teamed with Peck to win last year's Hambletonian, will try to fashion a winning trip from the outside post.

The full field, in post position order with drivers and odds: Cassis (Tetrick, 7-2); Lucky Chucky (Campbell, 5-2); Pilgrims Taj (Mike Lachance, 9-2); Mystery Photo (Andy Miller, 10-1); Wishing Stone (George Brennan, 12-1); Muscle Massive (Ron Pierce, 8-1); On The Tab (Daniel Dube, 15-1); Hard Livin (Yannick Gingras, 15-1); Temple Of Doom (David Miller, 15-1) and Holiday Road (Sears, 6-1).