Pelican Hanover not only won in a lifetime-best but produced a mild 10-1 upset on Tuesday, May 20 as MGM Northfield Park hosted five $27,778 divisions of the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old filly trotters.

Driven by Kurt Sugg, Pelican Hanover won her division in 1:57.4 over the 9-5 favourite Iwillmakeuproud As (Dan Noble) and Freedom Hill (Anthony MacDonald). Leaving from post five, the Miles Wollam-trained filly settled in fifth as Iwillmakeuproud As led the field. Pelican Hanover moved first-up as the field crossed the halfway mark in :58.4 and was second at the 1:28.3 three-quarters before a late surge powered her to her first seasonal victory. She is owned by  Cool Cat Racing and Bob Troyer.

Pelican Hanover was one of two Uncle Peter fillies to win a Buckeye Stallion Series race on Tuesday, as Up took her division in 2:00 for her first victory of 2025. Driver Tyler Angus had Up in the pocket behind leader I Bee Cream (MacDonald) as the field crossed each of the first three calls in :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.3. The field tightened entering the final stretch as the even-money betting favourite Up, trained by Matthew Burkholder for Dark Horse Farm, made it three-wide and passed Sudsnritz (Tyler Smith) and I Bee Cream for the half-length win. Tankfullaluck (Crist Hershberger) rallied to take second while Sudsnritz finished third.

Burkholder also trained winner Sweet Rose, who was driven by Aaron Merriman. Sweet Rose posted fractions of :29.1, :59.2 and 1:28.2 before winning by a length in 1:59.1 over Jailhouse Pearl (Tyler Smith) and Pretty Lil Penny (Trevor Smith). The Marseille filly has won all three starts in 2025 for owner Courtney Blodgett.

Heavy 1-9 favourite In The End and Dan Noble won by over two lengths in 1:58.2 ahead of Aunt Lilly (MacDonald) and Peterbuttercupcake (Justin Irvine). Trainer Anette Lorentzon's filly by Lionhunter led the field at every call through panels of :28.2, :59 and 1:28.2 en route to scoring her second win in three starts this season.

Wild As You and Tyler Smith wrapped up the Buckeye action on Tuesday. Owned by trainer Chris Beaver,  Leo Fleming and Steven Zeehandelar, the Muscle Up The Goal filly led wire to wire, setting fractions of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:28.3 before crossing the finish in 1:58.4. Countn On Cc (Sugg) rallied for second over Deetz Lighting (Austin Hanners). Wild As You has hit the board in all five starts in 2025 with two wins,

The 2025 Buckeye Stallion Series continues on Friday and Saturday (May 23-24) with the opening legs for three-year-old colt trotters and three-year-old colt pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs. The 16-race card on Friday will feature six divisions of colt trotters and Saturday’s 16-race card includes eight divisions of colt pacers. Post time for both days is 5:52 p.m.

(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association; photo of Pelican Hanover winning on May 20)