Hannelore Hanover made it two wins in a row at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino after a decisive 1:53 score in the featured event of the evening, a $21,000 Invitational Trot, on Friday, April 22.
Driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., Hannelore Hanover has now gone back-to-back at the top level and remains undefeated in three starts in 2016.
With combined lifetime earnings of over $3.4 million, the talented field of eight was comprised of multiple stakes winners and former Indiana Sires Stakes champions. Hannelore Hanover, Indiana’s reigning Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, was one of four mares in the field and started from the outside post eight.
Macomber Jr. left no room for error as he sent Hannelore Hanover away from the gate firing. She would have to work for her position as Trace Tetrick also sent Churita away aggressively from post four. Hannelore Hanover reached the front and dictated first half fractions of :27.1 and :57.4 while the rest of the field sorted out early positions.
Churita benefitted from a pocket trip while Natural Herbie and Verlin Yoder were next in line in third. Hannelore Hanover looked strong on the front and continued to call the shots down the backside through the three-quarter clocking in 1:25.4. Il Mago and Jason Dillander were the first to commit to the outer flow and were on the attack first-over with Allie Labrook and Dan Shetler in tow.
Hannelore Hanover was able to put away Il Mago before turning for home with an ever-increasing lead. Churita tipped from the pocket, but Hannelore Hanover wasn’t finished. Using a :27.1 final quarter, Hannelore Hanover kicked home under a hand drive from Macomber Jr. to win by two lengths over Churita. Allie Labrook staged a big rally late in the lane, but had to settle for third-place honours.
As the public's second choice, Hannelore Hanover returned $6.60 at the betting windows.
Trained by Ron Burke, the daughter of Swan For All-High Sobriety notched her 11th win from 24 seasonal outings. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Frank Baldachino, Hannelore Hanover has now amassed $334,824 lifetime.
Live racing continues at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, April 24 with a 14-race card highlighted by the highly anticipated return of Breeders Crown champion Freaky Feet Pete in race 11. Hoosier Park’s ‘Family Fun Days’ return this Saturday and will continue each weekend throughout the entirety of the harness racing season. Activities will include face painting, live entertainment, games and winner’s circle giveaways. Saturday’s live racing card will be followed by a free performance by The Ripple Effect in Hoosier Park’s Terrace Showroom.
(With files from Hoosier Park)