Although it was the first time he had ever competed on a grass course, Cobbler Hanover made light work of the first-ever turf pacing race in the 103 year history of Rockingham Park on Saturday, winning easily from gate to wire

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The eight-year-old gelding, making the 161st start of his career, beautifully handled the switch from the main track as he glided home in 2:06 after setting easy fractions of :28.3, 1:00.1 and 1:32 on a course rated as good. His final time was slower than that of 2:04.1 set at the Meadowlands on July 24th in the only other North American pace ever on the grass for standardbreds, but that didn’t bother trainer, owner and driver George Fillion at all.

“He did the job,” he said. “He went right to the front and stayed there all the way. I drove him in the stretch so he didn’t stop, but he knows where the wire is whether it’s on the grass or the main track he’s used to. He did everything right, even though it was his first time. He’s a strong man, but he’s tired now. The grass racing takes more out of them.”

The race on the Rockingham turf course, which had always been reserved exclusively for thoroughbreds until the track carded two trotting races on it last Saturday, was also a first for Fillion in his long and illustrious career.

“I like racing on the grass. It’s very smooth,” he said. “It surprised me.”

Cobbler Hanover also surprised the bettors, who let him get away as the 15-1 long shot in the field of seven before he rewarded them with a $33 win ticket for a $2 bet.

In the featured $10,000 pace on the main track, Captain Matt upset the other five horses in the field as he won on a fast track in 1:53 for driver Raymond Vizzi and owner/trainer Peter Halesworth and paid $23.40.

It was the second straight victory for the connections as the seven-year-old gelding stepped up in class to win his eighth race of the year and 23rd in 113 career starts.

(Rockingham Park)