On Thursday, September 14, Ellisarro Hanover, who was making his debut in elite company at the Meadows, showed persuasively that he belongs when he captured the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot.

Although Ellisarro Hanover had won four straight, all those victories were in high-level claimers.

On Thursday, he fearlessly moved first-over from fourth for driver Eric Ledford and held off the lightning-lane charge of 7-5 favourite Sir Caviar.

Ellisarro Hanover defeated Sir Caviar by a nose in a career-best 1:54.1. Sing Jesse Sing closed inside for third.

Jason Robinson trains Ellisarro Hanover, a four-year-old SJs Photo--Esmeralda Hanover gelding, for Robert Main.

(With files from the Meadows)