Ervin Hanover stayed hot off of the 28-day layoff as he returned with yet another speed display for his fourth straight victory at Mohawk in Saturday's (Dec. 14) $36,000 Preferred Pace.
Sent away as the 1-9 favourite from post four, Ervin Hanover and driver Louis-Philippe Roy worked to the outside of Poseidon Seelster (Bob McClure) to grab command of the field of six through an opening quarter of :28.3. Clearing on the backstretch, the field showed their respect to the streaking speedster to the half in :57.4. With the stage set for a second-half sprint, Ervin Hanover countered and quickened on the lead as Powertrain (James MacDonald) was the first to move first-over from third at three-quarters in 1:25.4.
Powertrain moved into second and briefly to the leader's wheel at the top of the lane before Ervin Hanover shifted into gear off the soft fractions. Rocketing home with a :25.1 kick in the stretch, Ervin Hanover powered clear by 3-1/2 lengths on the line over Powertrain to stop the timer in 1:51. Poseidon Seelster held for the show spot, five lengths back of the winner.
After a perfect month of November with three sub-1:50 scores, Roy has guided Ervin Hanover to each victory of the streak for trainer David Menary. Owned by Pollack Racing, the four-year-old Captaintreacherous stallion has won eight of 25 starts in 2025, banking $146,866 on the year. Ervin Hanover went over a half-million in career earnings following the 16th victory of his career.
The victory was one of four on the evening for driver Louis-Philippe Roy to lead all drivers on the 12-race card.
Earlier in the evening, Brudon rebounded from being nosed out in leg one to take the first $17,000 second leg of the Valedictory for sophomore pacing colts that are non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31.
Leaving from post seven with James MacDonald aboard, Brudon sprinted quickly off the wings to lead the field of seven to the quarter pole in :27. Unchallenged to the half in :57.1, the 1-2 favourite paced loose on the lead to three-quarters, opening up by 3-3/4 lengths to reach that station first in 1:25.1.
Pressure came to Brudon in the lane in the form of Fast Louie (Roy), charging first-up alongside of the leader midway through the lane. Brudon responded gamely to the challenger, posting a :27.4 final quarter to reach the wire first by a half-length in 1:53. A Class Yankee (Michael Whelan) closed in :25.4 from the backfield to beat out Fast Louie for the place position.
Trained by Carmen Auciello, Brudon has won four of his last five after a clean sweep of the Harvest Series in November. Owned by Frank Lamacchia, Tony Miceli and Deanmar Sons Stable, the gelded son of Mcwicked has won four of 21 on the year, banking $54,240.
The second split saw Wallace Hartley take advantage of an aggressive steer from driver Tyler Borth to score for trainer Chantal Mitchell.
Wallace Hartley got away third from post five on the first turn while Gandalf The Bay (Trevor Henry) laid down a :26.3 first quarter up front. Borth Hustled Wallace Hartley first-over and to the lead at the half in 2-1 favourite Southwind Infusion (Jody Jamieson) surged past on the far turn to reach three-quarters first in 1:24.3.
Southwind Fusion appeared strong on the lead at the top of the lane, putting two lengths on Wallace Hartley who looked to rally once more from the pocket. Tipping out late, Wallace Hartley surged in the nick of time to nail Southwind Infusion by a head on the wire in 1:52.3. Gandalf The Bay held for the show position.
Scoring at 3-1, the three-year-old rookie son of Lazarus N is a four-time winner in 24 outings this year, earning $67,890 for owner Dale Towle.
The $30,000 Final for the Valedictory series is slated for Thursday, Dec. 26 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)