Off the board in each of his five previous 2013 starts, Imagine Hanover put it all together Monday at The Meadows and rolled to an easy front-end victory in the opening leg of the Ken Weaver Memorial Trot for three and four-year-old male trotters.
Imagine Hanover was no better than fifth this year while trying to make up ground late. On Monday, Brett Miller hustled him to the lead and the four-year-old Broadway Hall-Imposing Hanover gelding apparently liked the change of scenery as he triumphed in a career-best 1:57.1. Master Angler was second, eight lengths back, with Glamrocker third. Del S. Miller trains Imagine Hanover for James Beluscak and Robert Carson.
Brett Miller completed a sweep of the opening Weaver leg by urging Stray Cat Strut to a Lightning-Lane victory in 1:59.2, a new lifetime mark. Masada was second, 1-1/2 lengths in arrears, while early leader Spicey Victor saved show. Kimberly Good owns, trains and bred Stray Cat Strut, a three-year-old Malabar Millennium-Coyote Valentine gelding.
The Ken Weaver Memorial Trot Series honours the memory of the late Ken Weaver, a breeder and trainer at The Meadows and a longtime PA Fairs circuit stalwart.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace, 13-1 Shine N Shimmer found herself shuffled to third after leading early. But she moved powerfully first over for Miller and prevailed in a career-best 1:51.3, three lengths better than Certified Ideal. Foxy Lady finished third.
Stacy van Huizen conditions Shine N Shimmer, a six-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Sheer Hose who now boasts $235,909 in lifetime earnings, for Howard Taylor. Miller finished with four wins on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)