Taking advantage of swift early fractions, Debauchee Hanover went wide to pounce on the tiring leaders and score a 14-1 upset on Friday in the $23,400 championship of the Donna Dunn Memorial Pace
for three- and four-year-old fillies and mares at The Meadows.
While Givemybest Hanover and Morwyn Hanover dueled for the early lead in a :56.1 opening half, Debauchee Hanover and Eric Ledford waited patiently nine lengths off the pace. The three-year-old daughter of Western Hanover-Daylon Affair moved third over down the backside before tipping wide for the decisive stretch drive. She prevailed in a career-best 1:55.4, a half-length better than 46-1 outsider Tina Starzzz, while Givemybest Hanover saved show.
“I think she needed a little bit of heat up front, so it worked out pretty well,” Ledford said. “She struggled a little bit in the turns, but after she got through the bottom turn, she was fine.”
Trainer Luis Porfilio, who owns Debauchee Hanover with Angela Porfilio, purchased the filly as a yearling for $5,500, a price that seemed something less than a bargain when she could manage only one start at two.
“She had problems with her knees,” said Porfilio. "After I bought her, I had to turn her out for a year. But she has a big heart. What’s on the inside is important.”
He said he would point Debauchee Hanover to the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes if she continues to progress.
“The sires stake are really tough, so she may end up in the Stallion Series,” said Porfilio.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, Mud Pie Hanover, who was jumping up two classes, shot the Lightning Lane to pull off a 7-1 upset in 1:52, a lifetime mark. Early leader Spring Break was second, a head back, with My Lady Bonnard third.
Dan Charlino piloted Mud Pie Hanover, a five-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native-Mud Hen, for trainer Kris Rickert and owners Dale Wareham and Mark Jakubik.
(The Meadows)