Summer may be winding down, but things will be heating up this Saturday night (August 20) at Hanover Raceway.
A diverse and exciting card of racing will be on tap. The program will feature racing under saddles' return to the oval (Race 7). The Walker Invitational Trot is set to go behind the gate for Race 11, which will be the final race of the night. Race 3, Race 5 and Race 8 will feature the eliminations for the track’s annual Balanced Image stakes event.
Be there early for a back-to-school draw for one of two backpacks filled with school supplies valued at $80, each of which are sponsored by RUS Ontario and thestable.ca.
The racing under saddle women will be in the grandstands for a meet-and-greet with the spectators before the races and following Race 7. Retired racing under saddle winner Tragically Shipp will be present to greet fans on the tarmac for photos and a hands-on experience with one of RUS Ontario's most memorable trotters.
The under saddle field should prove to be an exciting start, as three horses will make their debut without a race bike.
Lexis DJ, a classy nine-year-old, will make his first under saddle start following a strong qualifier over Grand River Raceway back in July. MAD Barn-sponsored rider Sarah Town will pilot the gelding from the rail for trainer Shane Arsenault.
Don Wan Veeba will make his first start for Danish rider Karoline Neilsen for trainer Gord Campbell from Post 3. The six-year-old gelding comes off a win last Saturday at Hiawatha Horse Park.
Xtra Perfect and owner/rider Nadine Habke will arrive from Ohio for their first start together from Post 4. Habke, who is Northfield Park’s regular outrider, finished fifth with Callie Magoo on Industry Day at Grand River (August 1).
Gracies Harmony and her regular rider, Marielle Enberg, will return for owner/trainer Jim Tropea from Post 2. This pair shocked on Industry Day with a wire-to-wire win that blew up the tote board at 40-1.
Southwind Alice and Evelyn Harmes, a three-time under saddle winning pair for trainer Dave Dowling, will look to add to their strong season from Post 5.
Veteran under saddle mount Callie Magoo will return for John Braid. Last season’s top point-earning rider, Natalie Elliott, will make her first start of 2016.
Rounding the field is a second entry from the Arsenault Stable. Osprey Vision and Amber Lawson will start from Post 7 and are hoping to repeat a strong finish, as they brought home the show dough during the pair’s first start against the Industry Day field of trotters.
The card will kick off with a 7:15 p.m. first-race post time.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Hanover, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Hanover Raceway.
(RUS Ontario)