A powerful middle move into hot fractions proved more than enough for Elizabeth Fair's Waikiki Hanover ($7.20) in Wednesday night's (May 8) $10,400 Preferred 3 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District, as the son of Cantab Hall posted a dominant five-length victory.
The nine-year-old gelding pressed the early pace a little bit after leaving from post 4, stringing out Full Of Pride (Marc St. Louis) and Avuncular (Scott Coulter) before yielding to their cutthroat :27.2 first-quarter duel. With just over a half mile remaining in the mile-and-a-sixteenth race, Robert Shepherd angled Waikiki Hanover out from third and the pair pushed clear of a taxed Avuncular on the clubhouse turn.
Waikiki Hanover gained immediate separation up the backstretch, sprinting off by 4-1/2 lengths through three-quarters in 1:27.3 and at one point amassed a seven-length advantage while Avuncular was left struggling in pursuit. In the end, Waikiki Hanover prevailed by five lengths in 2:06.2. All Out Henry (Scott Young) circled three-wide on the final turn to take second, 4-1/2 lengths better than Katch Kanna (Tyler Moore).
It was the 28th career win for Waikiki Hanover, and his third this season for trainer Alan Fair.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.