Claiming pacers fought on the Boxing Day program, December 26, at The Raceway at Western Fair District in two $13,700 finals for the Alliance Claiming Series going one and one-sixteenth miles.
Now What Hanover brushed to the lead after the quarter, yielded for the pocket, and pulled into the stretch to edge past odds-on favourite Lyons William to win the Alliance Series Final for $15,000 horse and gelding conditioned claimers in 2:06.1.
Parked at the quarter by Phone In, Now What Hanover circled to the top moving into the far turn, leading through a :58.2 half before taking the pocket seat to Lyons William, who was parked from the start of the mile. Through three-quarters in 1:27.4, Lyons William maintained control into the stretch before enduring a late-stretch lunge from Now What Hanover to his outside, with the Patrick Shepherd trainee getting a nose up on the favourite, while Phone In chased in third.
Owned by Amber Shepherd, Now What Hanover, a four-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Real Artist mare Numeric Hanover, won his seventh race in 29 starts, earning $40,723. Driven by Travis Henry, he paid $14.00 to win.
Santana Sass wired the field as the favourite in the Alliance Claiming Series final for $7,000 horse and gelding claimers, winning in 2:04.3.
The even-money choice, Santana Sass was pressured through a :28.2 opening quarter by first-over challenger Fightyourobsession, who ducked to the rail moving into the stretch first time. Out of fifth, Remus Blue Chip edged first over, marching to challenge leader Santana Sass through a half of :57.4, though began to chase as Santana Sass opened a two-length lead at three-quarters in 1:27.2 before kicking clear to a four-and-a-half length victory over pocket-rider Macktwowilldew, while Remus Blue Chip was another five lengths behind in third.
A five-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip out of the Intrepid Seelster mare Sassy Gal, Santana Sass, owned by Elizabeth Fair, won his seventh race in 26 starts this season and his 15th in 88 start overall, earning $59,239. Trained by Alan Fair and driven by J. Bradley Harris, he paid $4.10 to win.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.