Aracache Hanover established a new track record of 1:51.1 for aged pacers, when he won the ninth annual $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace
, Saturday night (October 8) at Batavia Downs Casino.
Leaving from post two, Aracache Hanover with Trevor Henry in town to catch drive, got away second as Silent Swing with Brad Kramer flew out of the starting gate and were quickly in command heading into the first turn. On their way to the quarter Henry thought about moving to the front but quickly thought the better of it as Silent Swing was by that station in a sizzling 26.2.
Positions remained unchanged by the half in :54.1
Past the five-eighths, Montrell Teague moved Windfall Blue Chip first up but they could only get as close as the pocket sitter as Brad Kramer had Silent Swing in full gear going three-quarters of a mile in 1:22.4. Kenneth J’s 1:52 track record set in the 2008 Kane was in serious jeopardy.
Approaching the top of the stretch a boxed in Aracache Hanover was able to extricate himself from the two-hole and were quickly up to challenge Silent Swing. In mid-stretch Aracache Hanover struck the front and with long and powerful strides paced brilliantly to the wire to win by 2-1/4 lengths and write his name in the record books.
Power Of A Moment (Jack Flanigen), far back early, found the inside lane and came on for second over a tiring Silent Swing.
Aracache Hanover, sent off as the public favourite, paid $3.30 to win.
This win brings Aracache Hanover’s lifetime earnings to $1,049,747 for owners William L Switala and James M. Martin of Clarence Center, NY. The four-year old son of Dragon Again is trained by Gregg McNair.
In a winner circle interview driver Trevor Henry said, “That horse of Brad’s, he can leave hard, he didn’t want me to really move so I had to stay where I was. It just worked out great, I was lucky to get out at the top of the turn but I had the passing lane, and I don’t think it would have mattered, but he is a nice horse. It was great to make the trip down here and win,” added Henry who is nearing an impressive 4,000 career wins.
The Kane Memorial Pace was established in honour of Robert J. Kane, former Chairman of the Board of the Western New York Off-Track Betting and the visionary responsible for WROTB purchasing Batavia Downs.
Mach Ten put a strangle hold on being named 2011 Batavia Downs Trotter of the Year when he raised his record to a perfect 6-for-6 this season in the $10,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial trot.
Being assigned the eight hole made no difference as Mach Ten left, tucked in fourth, moved three deep behind stalled cover at the three-quarters and put in an explosive move on the final turn to draw off to a much the best six-length win in 1:57. Kevin Cummings was in the bike for trainer Michelle Gramza and owner Dianne Mahiques.
Harness racing resumes on Monday, Columbus Day for the final matinee of the season. Post time is 1:15 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)