Eight Straight For 'Apprentice'

ApprenticeHanover030114-NewImage-ed.jpg
Published: March 1, 2014 08:34 pm EST

Apprentice Hanover continued to dominate the Preferred pacers at Woodbine Racetrack with an open-length victory in Saturday evening's feature race.

Woodbine's 2014 leading reinsman Jody Jamieson drove the heavy 2-5 favourite to a 1:51.1 victory -- his fastest in four starts this year and eighth in a row dating back to November 2013.

Jamieson settled Apprentice Hanover away fifth from post five in this week's $34,000 Preferred while a three-horse battle for the early lead ensued. Leaving from post four in the field of six, Top Gear (Mike Saftic) out-sprinted insiders Lucky Terror (Jonathan Drury) and Wazzup Wazzup (Randy Waples) to the lead into a :26.3 first quarter.

Wazzup Wazzup, a close runner-up in the last carded Preferred two weeks ago to Apprentice Hanover, advanced first over down the backstretch and reached the half in :55 flat before being confronted by a familiar foe.

Jamieson made his move with Apprentice Hanover and the son of Somebeachsomewhere moved up alongside the leader near the 1:23.3 third quarter mark. He then swept by off the turn and opened up five lengths down the stretch with a :27.3 final quarter. Early trailer In Commando (Chris Christoforou) followed the winner's cover down the backstretch and finished second while Top Gear rounded out the top three finishers.

Apprentice Hanover's undefeated four-year-old season has helped catapult Milton's Brad Grant to the top of the owner standings at Woodbine for both wins and earnings in 2014.

Trained by Ben Wallace, the streaking pacer has earned $68,000 in purses this year, pushing his career bankroll over $580,000.

Apprentice Hanover paid $2.90 to win.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.

Tags
Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.