Talladega Hanover won the $11,000 featured Open Trot in 1:57.4, a season’s best, at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (February 15).

The win was the third in five attempts this season for Talladega Hanover, a six-year-old Cantab Hall gelding owned by Www Ventures LLC of Woodville, Ohio.

Driver Shawn Gray put Talladega Hanover ($3.60), the prohibitive favourite in the race, on the lead, took no prisoners, and set all the fractions in the race (:29.2, :58.2 and 1:27.3). A :30.1 last quarter-mile put the winner five and a half lengths ahead of second-place finisher Most Wanted Lindy (Billy Dobson) at the wire. Macksmith (John Cummings Jr.) came in third. The winning time was the fastest trot this year at the Raceway.

Trained by Dan Walski, the $5,500 share of the winning purse put Talladega Hanover’s seasonal earnings at $15,650 and lifetime bankroll at $120,272. The win was his 13th in 83 lifetime starts.

John Cummings Jr. led all drivers with five wins on the night.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)