With a name like House Edge Hanover, it stands to reason that a horse with such a moniker has a fondness for winning.
So far, so good.
A three-year-old gelding by Betting Line out of the Dragon Again mare Hug A Dragoness, House Edge Hanover has started his career strongly and almost perfectly. He's now won five of his six career starts -- and both of his sophomore appearances -- after winning the fastest division in the first leg of the New Brunswick Breeders Stakes on Saturday, July 5 at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, N.B.
There were two $8,000 divisions for three-year-old pacing colts & geldings, with House Edge Hanover and The Wicked One prevailing.
Mark Haig had 1-9 shot House Edge Hanover sitting in the pocket behind early leader St Barts (Colin Decourcey) through a :30.1 opening quarter. Haig asked House Edge Hanover to edge out around the three-eighths mark, but the gelding got a bit steppy forcing Haig to take grips and collect his pacer. Straightening out approaching the half, Haig had 'House Edge' back out to challenge and clear through a 1:00.1 half.
Joes Dream Watching (Darren Crowe) pressed the favourite through that third quarter but House Edge Hanover still had lots left heading down the backside. After a 1:29.2 third station, House Edge Hanover increased his lead with every stride. A four-length advantage at the third quarter stretched to seven at the wire, with the mile timed in 1:59.1. Joes Dream Walking was best of the rest with Oligarchy (Stephen Trites) rounding out the top trio.
Everette Hanson of Maugerville, N.B. owns and Ron Matheson trains House Edge Hanover, now a career winner of $9,687. He paid $2.10 to win.
The Wicked One ($9.70) earned a new lifetime mark for his connections after a wire-to-wire win in the second division. Clearing to the front from post two for driver Pascal Berube, The Wicked One made every call a winning one en route to the 2:01 decision. Favoured Resuscitate (Todd Trites) couldn't haul down the leader and settled for second with Majestic Mason (Haig) saving show.
Trainer Charles Gaudreault co-owns The Wicked One (McWicked - Pangoon) with Daniel Gaudreault of Mont-Joli and Maxim Gaudreault of St-Joseph-De-Lepage, Que. The gelding is now a four-time winner with just shy of $11,000 in the bank.
Littlestitious (Todd Trites) and Wickham (Berube) traded blows down the backside and through three-quarters when things got serious in the $15,000 division for three-year-old pacing fillies, but the 4-5 choice Littlestitious was a little bit better on this occason and pulled away for the 2:01 victory. Heart Like A Truck (Decourcey) challenged late, but too late, to muster a runner-up finish with Wickham next best in third.
Winless in 14 starts as a rookie, the Jennifer Ritchie-owned and Wayne Watson-trained Littlestitious ($3.70) has found Canada's east coast to her liking. Her summary after five starts stands at 3-0-1 since racing in Atlantic Canada, and the 2:01 mile time gave the Bettors Delight - Palm Patrol filly a new speed badge to accompany her $18,008 in earnings.
To view the results from the Saturday afternoon card of harness racing at Connell Park, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodstock Raceway NB.
(Standardbred Canada)