Ken Hanover has done just about everything asked of him, racing competitively against the tops of his division and banking nearly $250,000 in the process. Yet he still lacks that signature win that would propel him to stardom among sophomore male pacers.
The son of Captaintreacherous-KJs Justine will seek that signature score in Saturday’s $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. He’ll leave from post eight for David Miller in the Adios, which goes as race 15 on the 16-race card. First post is 11:45 a.m.
Ken Hanover has captured a number of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) legs and he finished third to Fulton in last year’s PASS final. (Fulton, by the way, is even farther out in the Adios, starting from post nine). He also finished third in an International Stallion Series split at the Red Mile. It may be worth mentioning that the morning line Adios favourite, Its My Show, finished sixth in that division.
Roland Mallar, who trains Ken Hanover and owns with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt, recognizes the lack of a breakthrough win for his colt but attributes part of it to scheduling.
“I didn’t have him paid in to a whole lot last year, so this is the first major stakes race we were pointing to,” said Mallar. “Hopefully, we can knock one of them off between now and the end of the fall.”
He noted that Ken Hanover is eligible to such rich engagements as the Hempt, Little Brown Jug, Bluegrass, International Stallion Series and Matron.
“He’s been ham-and-egging it around, but I think he’s proven he can go with these. He’s always charging home, even when he’s facing this caliber of horse. It will be tough from the eight-hole, but if he shows up, I hope we can grab a chunk of it.”
Speaking of ham-and-egging it, Mallar has been a standout for years in PA Sire Stakes but still might be flying a bit under the radar. Could it be that Ken Hanover’s trainer needs a champagne breakfast as much as the colt does?
“That probably would be nice,” Mallar acknowledged. “We’ve been bouncing around in Pennsylvania and had some decent horses, but getting one of these major wins is what we’re in it for. The stars have to be aligned right.”
The Adios anchors a blockbuster card that also features five other Grand Circuit stakes. For the Adios Day card, The Meadows is offering a total of $170,000 in pool guarantees, several in association with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. The innovative and potentially lucrative wagers include an Adios Pick8 with a $15,000 guarantee (race eight) and a pair of guarantees for the Adios in race 15 -- Trifecta ($40,000) and Superfecta ($20,000).
All the Adios Day action will be livestreamed, with free access at the MSOA Facebook page and YouTube channel. The livestream show, which begins at 11:45 a.m., will be hosted by Meadows race caller Jeff Zidek, prominent harness announcer Gabe Prewitt and Dawnelle Mock of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association.
Here's the field for the Adios in post position order with trainers and preliminary driver designations:
$350,000 Delvin Miller Adios
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Flite Craft - Mike Wilder - Norm Parker
2. Ervine Hanover - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
3. Its My Show - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano
4. Cannibal - Yannick Gingras - Nancy Takter
5. Redwood Hanover - James MacDonald - Anthony Beaton
6. Bamboozler - Dexter Dunn - Virgil Morgan Jr.
7. Seven Colors - Dave Palone - Brian Brown
8. Ken Hanover - David Miller - Roland Mallar
9. Fulton - Dexter Dunn - Linda Toscano
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)