After tasting defeat in her 2017 debut at Miami Valley Raceway in the Miami Valley Distaff, Hannelore Hanover made her way to Mohawk Racetrack and demolished the foes she faced in Monday’s opening leg of the Miss Versatility Series.
Hannelore Hanover floated off the gate from Post 7 for driver Yannick Gingras, who guided her into the four-hole while Emoticon Hanover and Side Bet Hanover battled to thee quarter pole in :27.1.
Side Bet Hanover was released to the lead by Emoticon Hanover, but Filion popped that mare right back to the outside to reclaim the lead on the way to the half. Emoticon Hanover sped past the mid-way point in :56.3, but she came under heavy pressure from Hannelore Hanover who took over the top spot shortly past the half. She was a clear leader at the three-quarter marker in 1:24.3, and from there she used a :28.1 closing quarter to win by 5-1/4 lengths over Emoticon Hanover in 1:52.4. Third prize went to Barn Girl.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Hannelore Hanover improved her career record to 27-11-2 from 43 starts with the win. The Ron Burke trainee, who is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and J And T Silva Stables LLC, has put away more than $1.5 million to date.
One of the other highlights on the Monday evening card came in the form of an amazing upset in Race 5 when Dubious Claim rallied for a 1:53.1 score at odds of 103-1 for driver Paul MacDonell and owner/trainer Dr. Pete Johnston.
Dubious Claim, a three-year-old Western Terror-Gadgets To Go gelding, stormed home in :27.1 en route to defeating Jaydens Place (82-1) and Hermanus (6-1).
The payout on the 1-3 Exacta combination turned out to be a Mohawk record return of $3,896.50. The biggest return on the race, however, was the Pick-5 which offered a return of $22,595.91 for a $.20 ticket.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.