Hanover Raceway paid tribute to its past on Saturday honouring eight horsemen and builders and one horse during the track's first Heritage Day program
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The horsemen honoured included Lloyd Wagner, Jake “Sonny” Geisel, and Elmer Fritz, the father of Hall of Famer Bud Fritz. Builders included former Raceway GM Philip “Bas” Conlin, Ab Fleischauer, Emerson Emke, Allan Wedow, and Merv Knapp. And in the horse category, Hanover paid tribute to the late Silver Reign, who will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this month. Silver Reign was owned and bred by Eugene Forbes and trained and driven by Bud Fritz, both of Walkerton, Ont.
In the evening's featured $11,000 Heritage Day Preferred Pace, Mach It Paid and driver Travis Henry turned back a first over challenge from Chevron Hanover (Bruce Richardson) en route to winning in 1:56.1. Chevron Hanover finished over a length behind in second while Team Mate (Ryan Holliday) rounded out the top three.
Mach It Paid returned $4.50 to win was the bettor's choice. Issac Waxman owns and trains the seven-year-old son of Mach Three-Silver Words, who notched his fifth win in 25 starts this year.
Another highlight of the night came in the eighth race as driver Brad Fritz recorded his 500th career win. Fritz guided Carsons Payback to a 1:56.1 score in his grandfather’s tribute race, which featured $7,500 claimers. Vicki Gregg recently took over the training duties of the three-year-old Apaches Fame-Sporty Lucy gelding, who is owned by David Carson of Listowel, Ont.
Afterwards, Fritz admitted he was hoping to reach the milestone in the previous race with his own horse Sauble Billy, who finished second, but was happy that he was able to finally get the win. Fritz added that earning his 500th win at his home track and in his grandfather’s tribute race was very gratifying.
Hanover will host North America’s only All Trot Card of harness racing as part of the 147th annual Hanover Bentinck and Brant Fair next Saturday. The Fair starts on Friday with the opening of exhibits and the midway, as well as a concert featuring The Trews, Crash Karma and The Reason. Activities continue all next weekend at the Hanover Fairgrounds.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)