Delayed Hanover made his Vernon Downs debut a winning one in the $11,644 Open Trot on Friday, May 1.
Driver Aaron Byron made the winning move with Delayed Hanover after watching the top trio trade turns on the lead, advancing from fourth heading to the final turn en route to the 1:54.1 score by one length. Last week's Open winner City Of Hope (Leon Bailey) and Valottalove (John MacDonald), who each made front-end appearances during the mile, finished second and third, respectively.
A winner earlier this year at Saratoga Raceway coming off top three finishes in his last three races there, Delayed Hanover was the 5-2 second choice and paid $7.84 to win.
Kevin McDermott trains the eight-year-old son of Southwind Frank-Dont Wait Up for owner Reid Wissner of Manalapan, New Jersey. The trotter now has 24 career victories and is chasing millionaire status with earnings up to $935,650.
Byron, Bailey and MacDonald all had driving doubles while Joe Skowyra had a training double.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Derby Day Saturday (May 2) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Vernon Downs)