Caliban Hanover overcame early interference and survived a first over trip en route to capturing the $1,400 Open Handicap Trot on Saturday afternoon at Charlottetown Driving Park

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Leaving from Post 5, the favoured Caliban Hanover was interfered with behind the gate by a breaking Hall Trot (Tood Walsh) to his inside. Driver Ronnie Gass was able to settle the five-year-old son of Andover Hall-Crown Lavec into sixth while Saulsbrook Balance (Willie Murphy) took control and posted a :29.4 opening quarter.

As Saulsbrook Balance headed to the half in 1:01, Caliban Hanover launched his attack and struck the front by the next marker of 1:33. He then opened up a two and three-quarter length lead before hitting the wire in 2:04.3. Last week’s winner, Dunmore Alpha (Mark Cullen), came on for second with Saulsbrook Balance settling for third.

Caliban Hanover ($4.30) improved his seasonal record to 7-7-1 in 30 starts and pushed his earnings to $8,462 for trainer Ken Wilkie and owner Wendell MacDonald of Cornwall, P.E.I. The gelding’s 12th career win helped bump his bankroll to $16,157.

Pans O Silver ($4.20) inherited the victory in the $2,000 feature pace after Blue Star Outlaw (Jason Hughes) was placed back for causing interference. Brodie MacPhee drove the nine-year-old Pans To Reason-Silverwood Diane gelding, whose winning time was 1:59.2 off a pocket trip, for trainer, owner and breeder Alex MacPhee. Pacesetter Life Savior (Marc Campbell) and Southview Angie (Mark Bradley) inherited second and third.

The veteran gelding, who notched his 50th career win, now sports a seasonal record reading 8-9-5 in 33 starts. His earnings climbed to $16,555 for 2010 and $80,394 lifetime.

To view Saturday’s results, click here.