Three Balanced Image Trot eliminations have been drawn and will be showcased this Saturday night (August 20) during Hanover Raceway’s 11-dash card.
A total of 24 horses have been entered to contest the 12th annual edition of the stakes, which is for two-year-old Ontario-sired trotters. The top two finishers in each elimination will advance to the final, as will a pair of the third-pace finishers. The $61,400 final will be contested on Saturday, August 27.
This year’s field includes a diverse and talented bunch, which will include top Ontario Sires Stakes and local horses. The eliminations have been carded as Race 3, Race 5 and Race 8.
Mass Production will contest the first elimination. He is part owned by his trainer, Oakville resident Rick Zeron, who also performs the driving duties. The two-year-old Muscle Mass Gelding has already earned over $100,000 in purses and has yet to finish out of the money in his five starts, which includes a 1:56.3 mile over Mohawk Racetrack in his last OSS Gold race. Julie Walker, formerly of Owen Sound, part owns and trains Rosberg. The two-year-old colt has two wins in his last five starts, both of which were OSS Grassroots contests. There are also two horses in the race with Hanover connections. Charmbo Chrome is co-owned by Jack and Randy Rier of Hanover. Former Hanover native Mark Etsell has partnered with Bob Newtown of Walkerton and Chuan Tan of Cambridge on Mister Muscle, who will start from Post 8 and will begin from behind Mass Production on the starting gate.
The second elimination includes Expose Yourself, who is part owned by the Henry Stable of Arthur and trained and driven by Wayne Henry. Parkhill Nocredit will also contest the same elimination. Parkhill Nocredit is owned and trained by John Bax and driven by Steve Byron. The pair has won Hanover’s Dream of Glory title multiple times, but have yet to win the Balanced Image.
The third elimination includes another OSS Gold competitor in Mister Bianco. The Muscle Mass Colt won his only start in 1:57.2 for trainer Bill Budd and owner Brad Gray of Dundas and will be driven by Rick Zeron. The Bax-Byron duo will start from Post 1 with Majestic Wanda, who won her OSS grassroots start at Hanover on August 6. Wayne Henry co-owns, trains and drives Lady Justice from Post 7 in the same elimination. One of three fillies in the elimination, the daughter of Justice Hall has some impressive finishes in the OSS Gold this season and will have to use her early gate speed to find a good position early.
Also taking place Saturday night will be a Racing Under Saddle dash, which is always very popular in Hanover, as well as the 42nd annual Walker Memorial Trot. The Walker trot is named after Allan and Viola Walker of Owen Sound, who had success with many great horses in the past, particularly trotters. Allan was inducted into the Hall of Fame and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are keeping up the great Walker tradition in the industry.
Hanover will also host the Deep Run Danny Pace, which is named after a horse owned and trained by Ted and Alma McLean of Goderich. Seven contestants are still alive in the Survivor contest, which was held on August 6. They will compete for three great prizes, including a 55-inch Sony TV starting in Race 3.
The Grey Bruce Paraplegic Association will be on hand and will be conducting a 50-50 draw, which has come close to $700 for the winner in the past.
Post time Saturday night is 7:15 p.m.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Hanover, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Hanover Raceway.
(Hanover Raceway)