Trailing by five lengths and with his cover suddenly off stride, Imagine Hanover rallied wide in the stretch to capture his third straight division in Monday’s Winning Mister Trot at The Meadows.
Mr Mysterio pulled off a 13-1 upset in the other $12,500 third-leg split. The $20,000 (est.) final of the series for three-year-old colts and geldings goes Monday, April 29.
Hammered down to 7-5, Imagine Hanover was third over for Brett Miller when Pounce K broke in front of him. Undeterred, the son of Broadway Hall-Imposing Hanover found another gear late and downed Maxamillus by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Early leader Born To Fight was third. Del S. Miller trains Imagine Hanover for James Beluscak and Robert Carson.
Mr Mysterio hooked the 1-5 favourite, The Traveler, around the final turn and outdueled him to prevail by a head in 1:58.3 for Wilbur Yoder. Classical Caviar earned show. Jim Rothfuss trains Mr Mysterio, a Yankee Glide-Afternoon Hanover gelding, for Jack and Sharon Claypoole.
In the $18,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Pace, Do Me Honor turned back a strong challenge from Ali Rush and notched her eighth win of the year in a sharp 1:52.1. The pocket-sitting Tremor Hanover was second, 2-1/4 lengths back, while Ali Rush saved show. Aaron Merriman piloted the five-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Rei-Do Me Right, who extended her career bankroll to $321,238, for owner/trainer Bill Bercury.
It was one of four wins on the 15-race card for Merriman.
(The Meadows)