Steering his trainee Wawanosh Wave to a 44-1 upset in a $4,000 conditioned pace on Saturday (June 29) at Hanover Raceway, Chris Long also collected his first driving victory after making his pari-mutuel debut last year.
Positioned sixth to a :28.1 opening quarter, Wawanosh Wave grabbed cover moving towards a :58.3 half. He sat third over as Dublin Seelster, parked from the start, cleared control to the backstretch while forcing race-favourite Inspector Murdoch to race uncovered into the final turn. Tipping three wide moving towards three-quarters in 1:28.3, Wawanosh Wave swooped to the front into the stretch and drew clear to a two-and-a-quarter length in a 1:59.3 mile. Inspector Murdoch finished second while Silky Cam took third.
Winless from 13 drives in 2018, Long visited the winner’s circle in his eighth drive this season and his 21st overall. He gave Wawanosh Wave his first win from four starts this season and his fifth race from 84 starts overall, earning $28,455. Lema Chapple owns the eight-year-old Ready To Rumble gelding, who also gave Long his sixth training victory.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.