Washington Hanover made his presence felt in the late stages of the $24,000 Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino as he rallied sharply to take home top honours on Wednesday

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Shipping in from Balmoral Park, Washington Hanover’s 1:50.4 victory marks the fastest mile thus far of the 2012 standardbred meet at Hoosier Park.

As the gate closed, Josh Sutton and Allthatgltrsisgold made a quick jump on their rivals leaving alertly from post four through a soft opening quarter of :27.4. The pocket-sitting Robin I Scoot maintained his rail position as Trace Tetrick seized the soft opening quarter and sent Freddyscooter to the front, differing from his usual come from behind tactics with the veteran pacer.

Sutton begrudgingly yielded the lead to the public’s choice, as Freddyscooter led the field of seven through a :54.4 second split. Freddyscooter sprinted to a 1:22 third quarter split, waiting on the cavalry charge from behind.

Get It Now was the first to commit as he pulled first up going into the final turn under urging from driver Ricky Macomber Jr. Washington Hanover and Dillander sat mid-pack for much of the mile while most of the damage was being done on the front. Taking advantage of the fast pace, Washington Hanover and Dillander tipped three-wide around a tiring Get It Now to romp home with a :27.3 final quarter.

“They told me he [Washington Hanover] had been off for a few weeks so I knew I needed to get a trip,” Dillander said of his drive. “With a slow first quarter I was worried about being in the back, but at the top of the stretch he felt good. I was just hoping to have enough race track to catch them. He raced really tough tonight in a group of really good horses.”

Washington Hanover paid $6 to win. Freddyscooter held on gamely to finish second with Willy Mucha and driver Ed Hensley rounding out the trifecta.

Sired by Real Artist, Washington Hanover is now seven-for-12 in 2012 with lifetime earnings over $70,000. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Michael Brown and owned by James Behrendt.

(Hoosier Park)