On the heels of a near miss and a runner-up performance in last week’s top class at Fraser Downs, Armycaptin Hanover marched right back into battle Friday evening and came away victorious in the $12,000 Open Pace.
Armycaptin Hanover was allowed to get away last in the six-horse affair while Just A Start led the field through fractions of :27.3 and :54.4 while being pressed by race favourite Kneedeep N Custard. Dontpokethedragon then applied first-over pressure on Just A Start late in the mile and Armycaptin Hanover was able to slip out and catch that foe’s cover.
Scott Knight rallied Armycaptin Hanover home in :29.1, and that was just enough to earn the Kelly Hoerdt trainee the victory by a nose over Dontpokethedragon in 1:53.4. Just A Start was beaten that same margin while taking home third prize.
Hoerdt and Blair Corbeil share ownership on the five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Allamerican Coed. The victory was his first of the season and the 13th of his career. He’s banked over $70,000 to date.
The win for Armycaptin Hanover was one of four on the night for trainer Kelly Hoerdt, who also sent out Gambling Prince (1:56.4; $2.30), Sintaluta (2:00.4; $8.70) and Codename Cigar Box (1:56.2; $2.20). On the season, the 2020 O'Brien Award winner sports a 23-11-11 training summary from 57 starts, with $117,667 in purses and a dazzling 0.575 UTRS.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Fraser Downs.