Bombay Hanover pulled off the biggest upset of the night at Running Aces on Tuesday, May 21 by capturing the $21,233 Open Handicap Pace in 1:53.1 over a heavily rain-soaked oval.
Sent off as the third-longest shot on the board (17-1) from post three, Bombay Hanover was unhurried when the starter said “go” and settled away in fourth position as Caliber (James Kennedy) and Zanetti (Rick Magee) battled for the top spots and American Dreamer (Todd Warren) landed in third during the :27 opening quarter over the sloppy track.
American Dreamer swept to the lead near the three-eighths mark and led at the (:55.4) mid-point and then trainer/driver Luke Plano launched Bombay Hanover to the outside with a first-over attack down the backstretch, quickly drawing alongside the leader as they headed around the far turn with Shwartz Bros Pat (Dean Magee) joining the outside flow.
In the lane, American Dreamer dug in gamely but Bombay Hanover continued to press on and got the upper hand in deep stretch before drawing clear for a 1-1/2-length tally. American Dreamer checked in second while Schwartz Bros Pat rallied past Caliber late to grab the third spot.
Bombay Hanover ($36.20) is an eight-year-old Western Vintage gelding owned by Plano, as well as Dave Haness and Chris Manatt. He now has four wins this season from 17 starts and 19 career victories, with earnings totalling $237,670
Plano had three wins on the program, also scoring with Handsome Harvey ($3) in 1:54.3 and with Macs Marvel ($2.40) in 1:54.1.
Jacob Cutting also posted three driving wins, including Juju Hanover ($7) in 1:53, Fox Valley Nova ($3.60) in 1:56.2 and Rockinscience ($6) in 1:55.2
Despite a ($3.60) winning favourite on top, the 50-cent Hi-5 wager in race four sported a hefty return of $7,031.25 for the 3-6-2-5-8 combination.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night, May 23 with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT) and the card will feature a pair of carryovers: $1,098.65 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in race four and $2,561.18 for the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, which also starts in race four.
(Running Aces)