Hanover Raceway abruptly cancelled after the sixth race Saturday, July 18 due to a spike in the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to High Risk.

"Unfortunately, due to the rising air quality index, and in relation to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's strict guidelines for horse health, we're going to be forced to cancel the remainder of today's race card," Hanover announcer Rick Rier said on the track's live stream shortly after the results of Race 6 were made official.

A trio of $10,000 Prospect Series races were held prior to the cancellation, with a single contest for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters and two divisions for freshman filly trotters.

Third choice Great Trickster (pictured) claimed the lone Prospect Series division for sophomore trotting colts Saturday, taking advantage of a miscue from 1-5 favourite Stonebridge Mac. Trainer and driver Bruce Richardson had his charge forwardly-placed from post five, reaching the top as the field raced to a :30.1 opening panel. Trevor Henry was out and moving with Stonebridge Mac racing to the quarter when the sophomore broke stride. That opened the door for Great Trickster, who continued to call the shots on the lead, racing to the half in 1:02 and three quarters in 1:31.3. Richardson and his pupil reached the wire in 2:02.1, one length ahead of second choice Lifting Legend (Brady Galliers). Totally Iconic (Sam Fillion) finished third.

Great Trixter is a gelded son of Trixton-Great Dane owned in partnership with Richardson of Fergus, Ont., Joe Coffey of Orangeville, Ont. and Jason Castellan of Elora, Ont. The victory was the first in seven seasonal starts for the trotter, now a three-time winner with $56,560 on his card. Great Trickster paid $12.60 in the upset.

Hustleforthemuscle turned in a dominant performance in the first Prospect split for trotting fillies, receiving every call to win her second career start by open lengths. Guided by Todd Ratchford, the favourite moved to the lead when the gate folded and never looked back, clicking off fractions of :30.1, 1:01.1 and 1:32 while maintaining a healthy lead over the competition. She stopped the timer in 2:04, eight lengths in front of runner-up Snitchesgetstiches, driven by Fillion. Second choice Bobbi Bovino (Nick Boyd) finished third.

Hustleforthemuscle is a daughter of Green Manalishi S-Muscle Mackayla trained by Dave Holliday for owner Ben Holliday of Mount Forest, Ont. She returned $3.50 with the win.

Tirade Seelster’s path to the winner’s circle in the second Prospect division looked different than that of her counterpart. Guided by Tyler Borth, the young trotter sat behind leader Bar Star through fractions of :30.4, 1:03.1 and 1:34.3. Kinder Troubles, racing fourth early, advanced on the outside for Guy Gagnon, taking on the leader in the final turn. Borth angled three-wide off the pylons, and swept past Kinder Troubles to win by three lengths in 2:06.4. Charmbo Fancy (Tom Smith) closed late for third.

The victory was the first in three attempts for Tirade Seelster. The Lookslikeachpndale-Tymal Timeout filly is conditioned by Darryl Laver for Al and Loretta Webster of Wyoming, Ont. Tirade Seelster paid $6.30.

Live racing resumes at Hanover Raceway next Saturday, July 25 with a 1:30 p.m. first post.

For the full results from the card of harness racing in Hanover on Saturday, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)