Dropping down in class, millionaire pacing mare Voelz Hanover didn't disappoint as the 4-5 favourite in Friday's $35,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred at Woodbine Racetrack
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Following a pair of runner-up performances in the Open ranks to start the year, Voelz Hanover swept to her first victory of 2012 in 1:52.4 over the 'good' surface.
Keepers Destiny (Jody Jamieson) fired off the gate and forced the leaving Bullet Point (Billy Davis Jr.) into the pocket during the :27.2 opening quarter. But down the backstretch, driver Mario Baillargeon rolled Voelz Hanover off the pylons from third and went after the lead.
The popular Astreos-Vassar Hanover mare cleared to command and hit the half in :55.3. She reached the next marker in 1:24 with Didrickson (Randy Waples) advancing from mid-pack to apply heavy pressure.
Voelz Hanover edged away from that rival around the turn and then held off Keepers Destiny, who squeezed out of the pocket to claim second-place honours over Didrickson.
Ben Baillargeon trains the winning seven-year-old for owner Richard Berthiaume of Pointe-Aux-Trembles, Que. Last year's Forest City Pace champion notched her 25th career triumph and pushed her lifetime earnings to $1,187,864.
Voelz Hanover paid $3.90 to win.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.