Fresh off a Canadian record performance in the Armbro Flight, Hannelore Hanover headlines the second leg of the Miss Versatility on Friday’s Canada Day card at Mohawk Racetrack.
A group of 13 older trotting mares have been split into two $30,000 divisions for the second leg of this year’s series. The first leg, which was contested on May 23 at Mohawk, saw Jewels In Hock and Rockin With Dewey draw first blood, but this time around the hottest trotter in the division will make an appearance.
Ron Burke trainee Hannelore Hanover will start from post five in the six-horse first division Friday. The four-year-old daughter of Swan For All has won seven of eight starts this season, including a Canadian record 1:51 victory in the Armbro Flight two weeks ago.
Hannelore Hanover’s six-plus length victory in the Armbro Flight was a loud statement to the older trotting mare division. Racing under the radar in the Indiana Sires Stakes last season, Burke always believed she belonged in the conversation as one of the top trotters in her division.
“Ron has been telling me how good she was since last year,” said Yannick Gingras after driving Hannelore Hanover to victory in the Armbro Flight elimination. “He believed she was the third best trotting filly behind Mission Brief and Wild Honey.”
With Mission Brief sidelined this season, Hannelore Hanover has stepped into the spotlight and quickly risen the ranks to elite status.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Frank Baldachino, Hannelore Hanover will team up with driver Sylvain Filion for the first time in Friday’s race. The first division also features leg one winner Rockin With Dewey and Rules Of The Road, who finished third in the Armbro Flight after winning an elimination.
Jewels In Hock will aim for another Miss Versatility leg victory in Friday’s second division. The Linda Toscano-trained four-year-old has won two of four starts this season after winning nine and over $350,000 last season. The daughter of Credit Winner will start from post five in the field of seven with driver Jack Moiseyev.
Local trotters Elegant Serenity, Stormont Kate, Bax Of Life and White Becomes Her will look to protect home turf in the second split.
Following Friday’s leg, the Miss Versatility will make its next stop at The Meadowlands on Saturday, July 16. The second leg divisions have been carded as Races 2 and 6 on Friday’s 12-race program. First race post time Friday night is 7:30 p.m.
Here are the fields for Friday’s Miss Versatility divisions.
Race 2: Miss Versatility Division 1 – Purse: $30,000
PP/Horse/Driver/Trainer
1. Missys Ga Ga (Trevor Henry – Richard Moreau)
2. Charmed Life (Jody Jamieson – Dave Menary)
3. Harley Momma (Rick Zeron – Ake Svanstedt)
4. Rockin With Dewey (Mario Baillargeon – Ben Baillargeon)
5. Hannelore Hanover (Sylvain Filion – Ron Burke)
6. Rules Of The Road (Paul MacDonell – Charles Connor Jr.)
Race 6: Miss Versatility Division 2 – Purse: $30,000
PP/Horse/Driver/Trainer
1. Elegant Serenity (Roger Mayotte – Roger Mayotte)
2. Stormont Kate (Bruce Richardson – Bruce Richardson)
3. Sky Hanover (Rick Zeron – Ake Svanstedt)
4. Classical Annie (Sylvain Filion – Ron Burke)
5. Jewels In Hock (Jack Moiseyev – Linda Toscano)
6. Bax Of Life (Chris Christoforou – Jerry Duford)
7. White Becomes Her (Mario Baillargeon – Ben Baillargeon)
To view the full entries for Mohawk's Canada Day card, click the following link: Friday Entries - Mohawk Racetrack.
(with files from WEG)