Last night at the Meadows, Meirs Hanover engaged 8-5 favourite Show Topper down the backside and wore him down in the stretch to triumph in 1:53.4, the fastest division of the Watson Provost Memorial Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers.
Lap Hanover and Tidewater Teddy, both two-time winners in the Provost, also captured $12,000 splits in the series’ second leg, setting up a contentious $20,000 (added) final next week.
Dave Palone asked Meirs Hanover for speed for early position before calling on him again to pursue Show Topper, the Michigan Sires Stakes divisional champion, with an uncovered bid. In only his fourth career start, the son of Artsplace--Mary Mattgalane responded willingly, but erratically, giving ground around the far turn before powering past in the lane.
Meirs Hanover downed Show Topper by one length, with Bonners Creek third. Brian Brown trains Meirs Hanover, who lowered more than two seconds off his lifetime mark, for David Van Dusen, Michael Cimaglio and Strollin Stable.
In the $27,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Lookout Hanover vaulted past the leaders with a strong first-over move and drew off to victory in 1:50.1, 2-1/4 lengths better than 4-5 favorite Atochia. Early leader Bettor Design crossed the wire fourth, but was promoted to third following the late break by third-place finisher War Boots. The time was a tick off Edison Hanover’s track record for four-year-old pacing horses.
(With files from the Meadows)