In a thrilling display of strategy and speed, Brue Hanover and driver Doug McNair claimed the $30,000 second leg of the New Holland Pacing Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, March 22, securing back-to-back victories after also winning the first leg last week.
Jack Panic (Jonathan Drury) took the early lead off the gate, with Emmetts Buddy (Tyler Borth) settling into the pocket and 3-5 favourite Brue Hanover finding himself in third. Jack Panic set the pace as the field raced through the opening quarter in :27.3. Brue Hanover quickly tipped out, powering to the front and clearing the field. The 7-2 second favourite, American History (Louis-Philippe Roy), was hot on his heels, and with a :55.3 half, it became a two-horse race at the front.
American History reached the three-quarter pole in 1:22.4, looking strong as the field entered the stretch. However, Brue Hanover, who had been content to sit in the pocket, seized his opportunity and abandoned the inside position. With a powerful stretch drive, Brue Hanover reclaimed the lead from American History, surging forward to cross the wire in 1:50.3, winning by a commanding 3-1/2 lengths. Emmetts Buddy, who had stayed close to the pace, secured second place, while Powertrain (James MacDonald) battled for third.
Brue Hanover, a five-year-old Stay Hungry–Blind Ambition gelding, is trained by David Menary for Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, and Weaver/Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. With this victory, the pacer now has seasonal earnings of $68,417 and a lifetime bankroll of $399,045.
The New Holland Pacing Series is open to non-winners of $150,000 (fillies and mares $175,000) in 2024.
The $60,000 New Holland Pacing and Trotting Series finals will take place on Saturday, March 29.
In the $35,000 Pop-Up Series final for horses and geldings that are non-winners of $30,000 in 2024, heavy 1-5 favourite Highlandbeachlover, driven by Tyler Borth, took the win.
Batterup Hanover surged from post ten to take the early lead, but Highlandbeachlover quickly took over, setting fractions of :28.1, :57, and 1:24.3. Highlandbeachlover and Batterup Hanover then pulled away from the field, but Highlandbeachlover proved strongest, winning in 1:53 by 4-3/4 lengths. Elliot Moose (Ed Hensley) finished second, with Hurrikane Cheyenne (Jody Jamieson) third.
Trained by Carmen Auciello for Stephen Klunowski of North York, Daniel Sarafian of Unionville, Ont., and Lawrence Fox of New York, N.Y., the nine-year-old gelding Highlandbeachlover (Somebeachsomewhere–Rockn Highland) now has seasonal earnings of $42,190 and a lifetime bankroll of $595,254.
The $20,000 Pop-Up Series Consolation was won by Pipewrench Charlie (1:54, $22.80), driven by Travis Cullen for trainer Jodie Cullen. The $16,000 Pop-Up Series Consolation went to Century Inspector (1:54.3, $89.40), driven by Phil Hudon for trainer Blair Burgess.
Mohawk will be taking its scheduled March break next week and will be dark from Sunday through to Friday with racing resuming on Saturday, March 29.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)