Team Allard Takes Four Leaf Clover Final

Rene Allard can check another goal off his career list.

The 24-year-old trainer picked up his first Meadowlands stakes trophy with Strand Hanover in the $100,000 Four Leaf Clover final on Saturday night

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Strand Hanover pounced off a perfect second over journey to win the fifth race feature in 1:50.2. He paid $11.80 to win. Art Professor closed from far back to finish second, while Jimmie Hanover held third.

His brother, Simon Allard, one of the top young catch drivers in Canada, earned his first Meadowlands driving win behind Strand Hanover.

"He races either way, on the front or off the pace," said 28-year-old reinsman Simon. "Tonight it was windy, so it worked out great with a second over trip. [Art Professor]'s a nice horse, but to pass mine, he had to be really good tonight.

"It feels great to win a race here," Simon added. "It is a beautiful place. It is the heart of harness racing, so I hope we keep it going."

The younger Allard brother has met every goal he has set for himself as a trainer, including the Canadian dash-winning title in 2009 and 2010, with respective 291 and 227-win seasons. He earned titles at Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs and Grand River Raceway both years. In 2011, he took aim at Woodbine, where he currently leads the colony with 28 victories through March 18.

Rene Allard and co-owners Brenda Waxman and Aaron Waxman privately purchased Strand Hanover for $80,000 last April. He has won $126,830 for his current connections. Lifetime, the five-year-old son of Modern Art-Suntan Cathy has 12 career victories and $237,950 in earnings.

"We liked him from the start," Rene said. "We had a couple of issues with him, but he came back really strong. We planned on having him at the top of his form in the WEGZ final [on Feb. 19 at Woodbine]. He raced good in that [finished second by a head] and raced great tonight. He has been a pleasure for us."

Golden Receiver was a wire-to-wire winner in this week's $32,000 Invitational Pace for driver Andy Miller and trainer Mark Harder. The six-year-old Village Jove-Royal Gold gelding, who is owned by Stable 45, Richard Taylor, Stephen Springer and Nina Simmonds, stopped the clock in 1:50.2, winning by almost two lengths over Trueys Legacy and Lisagain. The win was his second in six starts this year.

For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)