Trotters were fanned out four-wide and charging to the wire in the $5,500 Randy Rier Memorial Trot at Hanover Raceway on Saturday, June 20, and it was Bulldog  and Ryan Holliday that emerged victorious by a head.

The Paul Megens trainee was sent off as the second betting choice in the day’s eighth race. Away from post three in the field of eight, Holliday raced near the back with Bulldog early as Charmbo Chip (Jason Ryan) had the lead through fractions of of :29.1 and 1:00.1. As the field trotted to the half, Bulldog moved to the outside, following the cover of Toscano Girl (Damian MacLellan), but Holliday was forced to sweep three-wide as cover stalled racing out of the third turn.

Bulldog dropped in behind favourite Boomandbust (Paul MacKenzie) as the latter drew even with leader Charmbo Chip at three-quarters in 1:30.2. As the field turned for home, Holliday angled out with his charge while Lmc Mr Squishy (Pat Hudon) also made a bid. Charmbo Chip faded slightly along the inside as Bulldog and Lmc Mr Squishy surged on the outside, and Bulldog held off Lmc Mr Squishy for the 2:01.3 victory. Boomandbust made a break at the wire while finishing third and was placed fourth by judges. Charmbo Chip was elevated to the show spot.

The victory was the first of the season in four starts for Bulldog, a seven-year-old gelded son of Holiday Road-Snegem Bianca. The trotter is owned by Saltwater Stable of Moffat, Ont. Bulldog has notched 18 career wins with earnings totalling $113,782 from 83 starts. He returned $6.50 at the mutuels.

Saturday’s card also included a trio of ‘Drivers Coming Home’ events in Races 4, 5 and 6 on the program, featuring reinsmen that have called Hanover Raceway home over the years. Bruce Richardson collected wins in the first with Trevor Henry reaching the winner’s circle in the third. Both reinsmen have multiple Hanover dash-winning titles to their credit and are tied for the most wins on a card in the track's history with eight.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)