As the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, it is fitting that this year’s Drive With Us performer is a former star in the provincial program, Reverend Hanover.
Now 12, Reverend Hanover was a standout in the OSS during his racing career. As a two-year-old, he only made four starts, but he made them all count as two were OSS Gold events and the finale was the OSS Super Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park. During his sophomore year, he not only starred once again in the provincial program, earning another Super Final victory at Mohawk, but he also took on and held his own against the Grand Circuit boys in the Simcoe Stakes and Breeders Crown.
The summary of his career shows 10-4-2 in 27 total starts for more than $550,000 in earnings. His mark of 1:48.3s makes him the co-fastest three-year-old sired by Sportswriter.
Since his retirement, 'Reverend' has been a wonderful ambassador for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, helping demonstrate the versatility of the Standardbred horse in a variety of ways. That includes participation in the Drive With Us program, which offers racetrack patrons a unique perspective of Mohawk racetrack from behind a horse.
This past Saturday, 'Reverend' not only kicked off this season’s Drive With Us program, but he also did double duty as the Meet And Greet horse, welcoming fans to the Campbellville, Ont. oval at the front of the grandstand.
Co-sponsored by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association and Woodbine Entertainment, the Drive With Us opportunity is available all
summer on Saturday evenings until the end of September.
(Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society)