The one-eyed wonder Its A Love Thing etched her name in the Canadian harness racing record books by capturing the final of the 2024 edition of the $425,000 Fan Hanover Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday, June 15 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in record time.
The Dave Menary-trained Its A Love Thing and driver James MacDonald landed in fifth from the pylon post through a :26.3 first quarter as even-money favourite Geocentric (Tim Tetrick) powered forward to take command from My Girl EJ (Dexter Dunn). Geocentric coasted up the backside to a :54.4 half while MacDonald was forced to send Its A Love Thing uncovered on the rim to the final turn.
Despite getting caught first-over, Its A Love Thing persisted against Geocentric to three-quarters in 1:22 and thrusted to the lead when the favourite came up empty for home. Caviart Belle (Yannick Gingras) tipped to the center of the track off her second-over tow and aimed at Its A Love Thing late and in futile chase as the Menary trainee muscled by the beam a length in front to stop the clock in 1:48.2. My Girl EJ kicked into action late for third and her stablemate, Canigetalouploup (David Miller), rallied through a seam at the pylons for fourth. Odds On Platinum (Sylvain Filion) was fifth.
The 1:48.2 mile paced by Its A Love Thing equalled the stakes, track and Canadian record established by American Jewel in 2012 and matched by Sylvia Hanover last year.
“Obviously [the trip] wasn’t how we drew it up, but it’s a horse race and you just have to wait and see how things go,” MacDonald said after the race. “I’m just lucky that Dave [Menary] and his crew had her amazing tonight. She was able to overcome a bad trip and showed what kind of a horse she is.”
“I was just hoping she didn’t get away too far back,” said Menary. “She’s a big filly to try and push through from the rail and I figured there would be outside leavers, so I just left it up to James – as long as she doesn’t get pinned. She did all the work tonight and went right on by.”
A daughter of Bettors Delight-Love For Sail, Its A Love Thing is now three-for-five this season and picked up her ninth win in 17 career starts for Menary and owners Eric Good of Davidsonville, Md., Thomas Biederman of Lexington, Ky., Josh Green of Midway, Ky., and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC of Solon, Oh. She now boasts a career bankroll of $928,906.
Sent off as the third choice in the betting, she paid $10 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine)