After a disappointing second half of the season, trotting mare Hannelore Hanover finished her 2018 campaign strongly, and her connections are expecting a return to form in 2019 closer to the dominance that she exhibited during her stellar 2017 Horse of the Year season.
The brown daughter of Swan For All kicked off her six-year-old campaign with a bang, as she won the first six starts of her 2018 campaign. Along with a Preferred and Open win, Hannelore Hanover’s victories came in the Cutler Memorial, the Armbro Flight (which she swept) and a leg of the Miss Versatility. The story changed during the back half of her season, though, as she tasted defeat more regularly than she had in some time.
One of Hanneore Hanover’s co-owners, Frank Baldachino, has taken the time to discuss the grand mare with Trot Insider. He explained that although the campaign didn’t go exactly according to plan, he and the connections were happy to see that she finished off her season on the upswing.
"Very happy with the way 2018 started out for ‘Hannelore,’ winning six straight,” said Baldachino, who went on to state that “the second half of 2018 she just didn't seem as sharp and wasn't herself. We found out later in year she developed a real deep lung infection, and after a few weeks of treatment (she) ended 2018 on a positive note."
Although 2018 didn’t go according to plan for Hannelore Hanover, Baldachino didn’t have a problem pointing out his favourite part of her six-year-old campaign. "Winning her third straight Armbro Flight in dominating fashion!" he said.
It’s hard to imagine that a seasonal record of 6-1-3 from 13 starts and $403,000 in purses can seem somewhat ‘off’ for a trotting mare – that just speaks to the calibre of Hannelore Hanover, and also why she has been voted an O’Brien Award finalist once again.
Hannelore Hanover and Emoticon Hanover have been voted as the 2018 O’Brien Award finalists in the older trotting mare category. The winner will be announced during the annual O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala, which will take place on Saturday, February 2 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale hotel in Mississauga, Ont. It will mark the 30th edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honour of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. To view a list of the nominees, click here. A win for Hannelore Hanover at the 2018 O'Brien Awards would be historic, as no older trotting mare has won this prestigious honour in three consecutive seasons.
Baldachino (of Clarksburg, NJ) co-owns Hannelore Hanover along with Burke Racing Stable LLC (Fredericktown, PA), Weaver Bruscemi LLC (Canonsburg, PA), and J And T Silva Stables LLC (Long Beach, NY). When Baldachino was asked who he owes his seasonal success to, he pointed directly at Burke and the trainer's crew.
"Ron Burke and his team have done a phenomenal job of training and taking care of a majority of my horses in 2018," said Baldachino, who went on to state that he was "very excited” and “thrilled” when he was informed that Hannelore Hanover was an O’Brien Award finalist for her 2018 campaign.
Baldachino explained to Trot Insider that he hasn’t been able to attend the O'Brien Awards in the past due to family commitments, but that the ceremony is always a very special evening and a first-class event.
Hannelore Hanover’s connections are looking for their regal trotter to return to the races in 2019 and get back to her winning ways.
"Looking forward to an exciting 2019, as Hannelore will be back to and shooting for her fourth Armbro Flight title,” said Baldachino, who went on to state that the plan is to start back with her around mid-February and be ready for a May return to the races.”
In conclusion, Baldachino explained that Hannelore Hanover will be pointed at "pretty much same schedule as last year (2018)” and that the connections have “no plans to race in Europe."