How sweet is it when a colt purchased as a yearling a few hundred yards from the finish line wins a division of an Arden Downs stake the very next year? According to Dave Palone, it was sweet, indeed, when he piloted Invictus Hanover to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Gov. David Lawrence at The Meadows.

The Grand Circuit event for freshman colt and gelding pacers was contested Adios Day over five divisions, with Allstar Partner, Limelight Beach, Kingofthejungle and Goldin Parachute also taking $20,000 splits.

A son of Yankee Cruiser and I Sparkle, Invictus Hanover was gaveled down for $16,000 at last year’s Hanover Adios Yearling Sale to Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Keith Pippi and Michelle Yanek and turned over to Ron Burke to train.

Although he finished fifth in his most recent outing, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake, he rebounded Saturday by exploiting a cover trip and scoring in a stakes-fastest 1:52.3. A OK Hanover was second, a length back, with Avalanche Hanover third.

“I’d like to pick up one like him every year,” Palone said. “He came out of his last race and scoped a little sick. I knew his performance had nothing to do with his attitude or ability. He’s a good gaited colt. As big and strong as he is, he’ll make quite a nice horse down the road.”

Also part of the Adios Day card was the inaugural $76,350 Mary Lib Miller, a Grand Circuit event for two-year-old filly pacers renamed this year to honour the contributions of the late Mary Lib Miller, wife of The Meadows founder Delvin Miller who served as a director of the Harness Hall of Fame. Lucys Pearl, Sister Stroll and Rustys Bliss each took a Mary Lib Miller split.

Lucys Pearl had two Hall of Famers in her corner — Palone and trainer Ron Gurfein — and that couldn’t have hurt. She worked out a pocket trip from post nine and triumphed in 1:53.1 for her third straight victory. Stucklikeglue was second, one and three-quarter lengths in arrears, while Boots N Saddle earned show. Both Lucys Pearl and Stucklikeglue survived inquiries to maintain their positions.

“I really like her,” Palone said. “Gurf is making a pacing comeback. Honestly, that’s a helluva mile for a two-year-old out of the nine-hole to be used twice like that. I was tickled to death with her.”

Gurfein and Elizabeth Novak own the daughter of Well Said and Remember When.

Sister Stroll exploded to the lead past the three-quarters for Chris Page and drew off to score in 1:54.1 despite a final quarter in :31.3. Temptation Hanover and Fiyonce were promoted to second and third, respectively, following the disqualification of second-place finisher Cinamony.

“They got tired at the end, but when you’re down there in 1:22.3, these two-year-olds will get a little tired,” said Brian Brown, who trains the daughter of Art Official and So Western, a $40,000 yearling acquisition, for Jennifer Brown, Strollin Stable and King McNamara. “She’s a half=sister to Dancinwiththestarz, who made almost $1 million. She has a lot of racing left this year.”

(The Meadows)