The great Johnny Cash didn't have the pacer Lochlan Hanover in mind when he sang his hit “I’ve Been Everywhere”, but it sure fits.
The four-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous-Lady Dale, who had raced at The Red Mile, The Meadows, Pocono Downs, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Tioga Downs and Yonkers Raceway during his 27-start career, added another track to that list on Saturday, Jan. 3, making his debut at The Meadowlands.
Things went exceedingly well in the featured $23,973 high-end conditioned pace, as the Rico Robinson trainee recorded his third win in his last four tries.
“We raced him at [Harrah's Philadelphia] a couple of times with Tim Tetrick driving, and Timmy told me this horse would like The Meadowlands, that fewer turns would help him a lot,” said Robinson.
Switching from three turns at Philadelphia to two at The Big M proved to be a winning move. Lochlan Hanover was third at the quarter on Saturday as Lazarus Star (Ridge Warren) hit that station in :28.3.
Driver Mark Herschberger moved Lochlan Hanover off the rail just after the half, where Lazarus Star ruled in :57, and set his sights on the leader. Lochlan Hanover continued to grind away at the pacesetter’s edge around the far turn and was just a nose behind Lazarus Star as three-quarters went in 1:25.
Lochlan Hanover had big-time momentum at this point, drawing clear through the stretch to record a 1-3/4-length win in 1:52.1, a lifetime best for the now-winner of five races in 28 career tries. Bookem Danno (Lauren Tritton) rallied to get second with Blue Onyx (Colin Kelly) third.
“Rico does a heck of a job with these horses,” said Herschberger. “Timmy drove him a few starts at [Philadelphia] and told Rico the big track would really help this horse, and he was really spot-on with that. The horse really kicked home tonight.”
Owned by Pollack Racing LLC, Lochlan Hanover lifted his lifetime earnings to $138,922. As the 7-5 favourite, he returned $4.80 to his backers.
Brett Beckwith was at it again on the 15-race Saturday card. The 22-year-old defending driving champion at The Big M followed up his three-winner Friday with five walks down victory lane Saturday to lead the colony. He won with Blue Collar Man ($8.40), Rockme Rollme ($5.40), Momas Son Byrne ($5.40), Bet On Mac ($6.60), and Primary Colors ($2.80). He is eight-for-30 in the opening two cards of the year.
Per Engblom and Leah Posner paced the trainer colony with a pair of winners apiece.
Despite a sequence where there were no big longshots, those holding winning tickets on the 20-cent Pick-6 cashed in for $4,932.36 after the six-pack of winners were sent to the gate at odds of 4-1, 7-2, 8-5, 9-2, 5-2 and 2-1. A carryover of $3,112 led to a total pool of just less than $17,000. All-source handle on the 15-race card totalled $2,808,100.
Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m. Then, after the usual Saturday program, the first of four consecutive Sunday race cards will take place. Post time on Sundays is 12:30 p.m.
(With files from The Meadowlands)