After making his first start in Massachusetts on Tuesday (Nov. 26), Unrivaled Hanover lived up to his name as he cruised through the raindrops to win convincingly in the $31,250 featured pace at Plainridge Park.
Driver Brett Beckwith took a temporary tuck in third at the eighth pole before pulling and taking the lead from Bang Ah Uey (Jim Hardy) as the race passed the stands for the first time. Now in control, Unrivaled Hanover stepped to the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:24.2. The group then spun around the far turn and headed into the stretch where Bang Ah Uey and Cautious Clay (Drew Campbell) tried to make up ground on the leader. But that didn't happen as Unrivaled Hanover paced home freely by 2-1/4 lengths to win in 1:52.2. Bang Ah Uey finished second with Cautious Clay third.
A three-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight - Upside Surprise, Unrivaled Hanover ($2.10) is owned by Kellogg Racing and trained by Jackie Greene.
Matty Athearn and Kevin Switzer Jr. each had two wins on Tuesday while nine different trainers all had one win each.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Wednesday (Nov. 27) at 1 p.m. and there will be a $7,137 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.
There are only two live race days left in the 2024 meet that wraps up on Friday (Nov. 29). They are Wednesday (Nov. 27) and Friday (Nov. 29), with Thursday (Nov. 28) being dark in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)