Caliban Hanover kicked home to edge out pacesetter Saulsbrook Balance in a photo finish in the $1,400 Open Trot at Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday evening
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Trainer-driver Ronnie Gass settled the six-year-old Andover Hall-Crown Lavec gelding into fifth place and waiting patiently through fractions of :30, 1:00.4 and 1:31.3 before launching his attack on leader Saulsbrook Balance (Willie Murphy). Caliban Hanover unleashed a :29.4 final frame to collar his rival at the wire in 2:02. Dusty Lane Shelby (Corey MacPherson) finished one and a half lengths behind in third.
Caliban Hanover returned $11.70 to win for the 9-2 upset. The win was his second in nine starts this season for owner Wendell MacDonald of Cornwall, P.E.I. A winner of 14 races lifetime, Caliban Hanover has earned $18,663.
The Trevor Hicken-trained Riccaras Sun, under the command of Gary Chappell, blasted off the starting gate to grab a three length lead and never looked back to win the Saturday night $1,700 feature pace in 1:56.3. Fractions were :28.3, :57.2 and 1:27. Unstoppable Speed (Corey MacPherson) finished four and a quarter lengths behind in second while B J Cruiser (Brian MacPhee) rallied late to grab third.
The 2-1 second choice paid $4.80 for the win. Owner Ken MacInnis of Charlottetown was trackside for the presentation as the six-year-old son of Allamerican Native-Riccara Hanover won won his second race out of seven starts this season. The winner of 23 races lifetime has banked $56,846 to date.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.