Canadian-owned Comeonover Hanover earned his first Open Handicap Trot victory of the season on Monday, May 5, taking the $22,222 feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
With Leon Bailey in the bike for trainer Andy Gardner, the seven-year-old Sebastian K S-Carmita gelding surged to the front early over a sloppy track. He fired through a brisk :27.3 opening quarter before backing things down to a :58 half, getting a well-timed breather.
The stretch drive was a duel between Comeonover Hanover and race favourite Delayed Hanover (Wally Hennessey), who applied pressure throughout the second half. But Comeonover Hanover dug in and turned away the challenge for good around the final turn, going wire-to-wire in 1:57.
Delayed Hanover, the beaten favourite for the fifth straight start, was a strong runner-up once again, finishing just a half-length behind the winner. City Of Hope (Jimmy Devaux) completed the trifecta.
Comeonover Hanover, who paid $12 to win, is owned by Percy Elkins of Milton, Ont. He has won three of his last five starts at Saratoga and now boasts 22 career victories with earnings totalling $335,578.
It was also a banner afternoon for Hall of Fame reinsman Wally Hennessey, who piloted five winners on the card.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee set to begin at 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)