Lucan Hanover employed a different racing style on Saturday (Jan. 4) at Freehold Raceway, and it worked like a charm, as he took the featured Preferred Handicap Pace.

Usually Lucan Hanover goes to the lead and tries to wire the field. However driver Andy Miller elected to take him to the back of the pack early, sitting sixth at the opening quarter. Nearing the half, he got into a live cover-flow, drafting his stablemate The Onlyest One. Heading into the final turn Miller moved him three-wide, took charge turning for home and held on to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. He paced the mile over a sloppy track in 1:55.4.

Since coming to Freehold from Batavia Downs, Lucan Hanover has been in sharp form. He's won three times in five starts, and has been no worse than third. He's owned by Cliff Grundy and trained by Nick Surick.

Ozone Blue Chip rallied wide down the stretch and got up for second. The Onlyest One, Exit Cam, Polak, Mako Banner, and Statement Made completed the order of finish.

Live racing resumes at Freehold on Thursday, Jan. 9 beginning at 12:30 p.m. (EST).

(Freehold Raceway)