The Saturday (July 15) card of harness racing at Hanover Raceway featured the opening leg of the Ontario Prospect Series for two-year-old pacers while also hosting Harness the Hope.
In Prospect Series action, Lyons Zephr was the fastest colt in the two divisions. Jonathan Drury got the Threelyonsracing homebred a pocket ride behind pacesetter Bettin Again (J. R. Plante) in his $8,500 split, and popped pocket in the stretch to get up by a nose for his first lifetime win in 2:00.4. Anthony Beaton trains the son of Artspeak-Lyons Magic, who paid $10.90 to win.
Bettors Rush came from well off the pace for driver Travis Henry — parked three from three-quarters all the away around the far turn — to reel in Snow Walker (Steve Byron) in the second division, contested for a purse of $8,600. Sent off as the 4-5 choice, Bettors Rush (Bettors Delight-Sister Pippa) picked up his first lifetime victory for trainer and co-owner Blake MacIntosh, Pat Woods and Hutt Racing Stable. He paid $3.80 to win.
The fastest of the two divisions for fillies was won by Determination homebred Greatest Pleasure, a wire-to-wire maiden-breaking winner in 2:03.2 for driver J.R. Plante and trainer Luc Blais. The daughter of Bettors Delight-Twin B Imabeach paid $2.40 to win in her $8,700 split.
Speak Of Joy debuted a winner to prevail in her $8,800 Prospect division. Travis Henry found a seam along the rail heading into the far turn, allowing him to scoot inside stalled cover and find an open lane in the stretch to hold off Czech With Vivian (Peter Core) by a neck for the 2:03.4 decision. Vicki Gregg trains the daughter of Artspeak-Marvalous Joy, a $9.30 winner, for Ross Family Farms.
The first three races on the card featured female drivers in a special driving challenge in concert with Harness The Hope. Julie Walker doubled up with a pair of victories, guiding E L Lonely Charlie (2:00.3, $23.30) to win in the first race and favoured Derby Dylan (1:59.2, $3.80) to victory in the third. Debi O'Brien Moran was the winning driver in the second, clicking with Flaming Terror (2:01.1., $30.90).
For full results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Hanover Raceway, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.