Sent postward as the 47-1 longshot in Flamboro Downs' co-featured $7,500 Preferred 3 Pace for horses and geldings, Cluster Hanover defied his odds and led every step of the way for the Sunday night upset.
Cluster Hanover returned $96.20 for a mere $2 investment to win.
Firing from post seven with Anthony MacDonald at the lines, Cluster Hanover cleared to command around the first turn and cruised through fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26 en route to the 1:54.3 triumph. Get Around Town followed one and a half lengths behind from the pocket and it was four and a quarter lengths back to third-place Blue Chip Sunshine. Favourite Calgary Seelster was caught inside mid-pack and was shuffled back to eighth with the outer flow stacking up wide behind first-over Astute, who ultimately finished fourth.
Cluster Hanover earned his third win from 13 starts this year. Barry Treen trains the four-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding for owners Jeff and Debbie Elchuk of Surrey, B.C.
The matching Preferred 3 Trot was won by Mopey Corey ($13.10) as he held off the favourite Coco Bino along the passing lane and first-over challenger Torches Angel in a three-horse photo finish for trainer Thomas Riley and owner Amanda Riley of Roseneath, Ont. Travis Henry steered the nine-year-old gelded son of Southwind Lustre wire-to-wire (:29, :59.2, 1:29.1, 1:59.2) for his first win from six starts this year.
Billy Davis Jr. was the leading driver of the night with five wins on the 11-race card while Patrick Shepherd led all trainers with a triple. Davis Jr. and Shepherd combined for a pair of their wins with David Yuzpe-owned pacers Euchred ($8.50) and Strokin ($4.40). Henry and Riley also teamed up for two, scoring their other victory with Mister Icon ($5.30).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.