Lap Hanover unleashed a quick first-over burst which carried him to a 1:54.1 victory in the fastest of four divisions of the Watson Provost Memorial Series for freshman pacing colts and geldings yesterday at the Meadows.
Tidewater Teddy, Show Topper and Hare Force Two captured the other splits in the opening leg.
Entering the series, Lap Hanover had only a maiden win to his credit, but had gained key experience while earning cheques in stakes. In the Provost, he trailed Soap Suds by seven lengths when Mike Wilder tipped him off the pylons and asked him for pace.
The gelded son of No Pan Intended--Laskis responded to Wilder's asking by gobbling up ground so swiftly that the second-over Yuma Hanover couldn’t use his cover effectively.
Lap Hanover downed Yuma Hanover by three and a quarter lengths, with Metro Man a rallying third. Ron Burke, who fashioned a training four-bagger on the 16-race card, trains Lap Hanover.
The series honours the late Watson Provost, longtime Meadows horseman and a member of the original group assembled by Delvin Miller to own the Meadows.
Driver Dave Palone drove seven winners — including six consecutively — on the card.
(With files from the Meadows)