After a front-end approach backfired miserably in last week’s feature race at The Raceway at Western Fair District, Pedro Hanover was asked to take a totally different approach and as a result he was able to right the ship.
Sent off at odds of 5-1 in the $13,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 Handicap at the London oval, Pedro Hanover was able slide his way into an early four-hole for driver Colin Kelly while Mercenary and Maximus Power battled to the quarter pole in :28. Mercenary eventually marched to the top and went on to lead the field to the half in :57.1.
Easton Beach went after his stablemate in the third quarter and showed a short lead while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:27. Pedro Hanover was three-wide and driving past the three-quarter marker, and he then used a :29.3 final frame to prevail by a length over Easton Beach in 1:56.4. Race favourite Outlawgrabbingears, who was parked every step of the mile, rallied to finish third.
Kyle Bossence trains the six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Paulas Best for owner Brad Gray of Dundas, ON. The victory improved his 2021 record to 3-0-0 from four assignments. The 13-time winner has banked more than $460,000 to date.
Osborne Seelster survived a tough, first-over journey to win the $11,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 going to the distance of 1-1/16 miles.
Travis Henry got away fourth with the Ted MacDonnell trainee while Dreydl Hanover made the lead and served up an opening quarter clocked in :27.4. The parked out Paparazzi Hanover pressed on and eventually cleared to the top. He cruised through fractions of :57.3 and 1:27.3 while feeling pressure from first-over attacker, Osborne Seelster.
Henry kept Osborne Seelster alive despite the tough trip, and the gelding dug down deep to win by a nose over J J Powerball in 2:04.1. Rounding the top three finishers was Paparazzi Hanover.
MacDonell shares ownership on the seven-year-old son of Big Jim-Outofthefryingpan with Len Gamble of Etobicoke, ON. Together, they’ve watched the pacer win 10 races while banking just over $200,000.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.