Millionaire pacer Hyperion Hanover, the 'senior citizen' in Pompano Park's Winners Over feature pace on Saturday night, cruised to a handy three-length win for Andy Santeramo.
The 10-year-old son of Camluck, trained by Jim McDonald for the S S G Stables of North Boston, NY, took the lead from his outside post five, repelled two challenges during the journey and pulled away in the lane using a :28.1 closer to stop the timer in 1:53.2.
Avantage, with Tom Sells in the bike, finished second while the only mare in the field, Bombilla Hanover, driven by Bruce Ranger, finished third in the quintet.
Seizing the top on the very first stride leaving the gate, Santeramo lolly-gagged through an opening quarter of :28.4. Meanwhile, Bruce Ranger, sensing the pedestrian pace, sent Bombilla Hanover after the leader from fourth and the pace quickened significantly - so much so that Bombilla was forced to duck in the two hole around the second turn and over to the half in a picked up :56.2.
On the backside, Ricks Sign put some pressure on Hyperion Hanover but, during the :28.4 third panel, couldn't get within a length of Hyperion Hanover, who sprinted away handily in the lane to score over a stout closing Avantage with Bombilla third.
"I was fortunate that we were able to make the top easily and rate that opening quarter,” said Andy Santeramo following the victory. “This horse is a 'gamester' and is very handy. A horse doesn't win a million dollars any easy way but this was one of his easier wins during his career, I am sure."
Hyperion Hanover has won 45 times during his lifetime and his bankroll now stands at $1,221,376 to go along with a 1:49.1 mark achieved four years ago.
Sent off as the overwhelming favourite at odds of 1-2, Hyperion Hanover paid $3.00 to his backers.
The McDonald-Santeramo team also scored with Neptune Blue Chip, that one edging by Hillybilly in the very last stride to win a conditioned event in 1:52.1.
Owned by Ciro Gentile along with Twenty Four Carrot Racing, the five year-old son of American Ideal won for the third time this year and 17th lifetime to send his career bounty to $98,769.
The driving star of the night was Stephane Lareau, who captured four races on the card, including a condition trot with millionaire trotter Self Professed.
Trained by Gaston Lareau for owner Jean Pierre Houle, the 11-year-old son of Self Possessed scored a very handy win measuring 5-3/4 lengths in 1:58.4 to send his lifetime bankroll to $1,169,697.
Lareau also won with Windsun Countess, Diamond Master and Dots Bigboy on the card.
(Pompano Park)