Hanover Raceway played host to Pepsi Night and two divisions of the Alliance Spring Claiming Series on Saturday night (June 11).
A good crowd came out for their chance to win up to $2,000 in prizes, including a patio set, BBQ and lawnmower.
In the Pepsi Pace for $6,000 claimers, it was 12-year-old Chasin Jiffy, owned and bred by Kim Mahon of Owen Sound, Ont., that held on for the victory over a fast-closing Twin B J J in 2:00.3.
Chasin Jiffy used his rail advantage to control the pace past the quarter in :29.3 and the half in 1:00.2. The Gary Mahon-trained son of Village Jiffy, who has 27 lifetime wins, continued to lead past the three-quarters in 1:30.3 and just made it home as Twin B J J was flying to make the finish a close one.
In the Alliance Spring Series for $4,500 claiming filly and mare pacers, Anamazingdreamesa had two claims on her and came into the elimination with four top-three finishes in a row. With Natasha Day driving, the Patrick Shepherd trainee battled outside of Zinfandart and Robert Doyle past the quarter in :29.3 and the half in 1:01.3. Anamazingdreamesa took the lead by a half-length at the three-quarters in 1:31.4 and held on for the victory over the wide-rallying Imnotamirage in 2:01.1.
The win was the eight-year-old Bullvons Dream mare's fourth of the season from 20 starts. She was owned by Stephen Morton of Windsor, N.S., and claimed by Gregory Mason of Mulmur, Ont.
In the second division, favourite Total Knockout and driver Tyler Moore were quickest off the gate and grabbed the early lead to the quarter in 29 seconds flat. Moore then settled the pace down leading past the half in 1:00.3 and the three-quarters in 1:30.3 before holding off all coming in the final quarter to win in 2:00.1.
Moore trains and drives the four-year-old Total Truth mare, who has now posted back-to-back wins for owner Louie Sorella of Mississauga, Ont. Overall this season, Total Knockout had three wins from 14 starts.
The 10 fillies and mares from the opening leg of the series will be back next week to battle again with the top finishers advancing to the series final at Grand River Raceway later this month.
Next Saturday is Molson Men's Night in honour of Father's Day. Dads in attendance can enter to win over $1,000 in prizes, including a Corona deck chair, Coors Light coolers, beach umbrellas, and an outdoor fire pit. Post time next Saturday, June 18 is 7:15 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)