It was gut-check time for Spender Hanover, but the six-year-old passed with flying colours in holding back all competition in the $9,000 Open Pace at Batavia Downs Saturday night.
After RC Cruiser took the lead for a brief moment near the quarter-pole, Spender Hanover and driver Dave McNeight III, who left from the rail, quickly retook the lead and set fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.2. Heading down the stretch, RC Cruiser (Jim McNeight) and Unicorn Hanover (Robert Verney) were both in perfect position to try and catch the front-running Spender Hanover. Neither seriously threatened, however, as Spender Hanover dug in and prevailed by a length.
Spender Hanover, owned by Howard Ouriel of Rochester, New York and trained by Don Rothfuss, has now earned $55,164 on the season. The win was the eighth of the season for Spender Hanover ($6.30) and was his second in his last three outings.
It was also a stellar night for McNeight III as the 22-year-old reinsman scored a driving triple as did Downs leading driver Shawn Gray. Alex Giuliani and Dave McNeight Jr. had training doubles.
The Pick 6 was hit for the first time since racing resumed on July 23. There were 10 winning tickets and each was worth $918.
Sunday afternoon, Batavia Downs presents a 12-race card with post time set for 1:15 p.m. The New York Sire Stakes series will continue on Sunday with three races worth over $42,000 each on tap for three-year-old pacing fillies. Bettor B Lucky, the three-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Hornby Lucky who last Sunday won the $250,850 Empire Breeders Classic for pacing fillies at Tioga Downs, headlines the matinee program. There are also three $12,800 divisions Excelsior Series scheduled as well for the three-year-old pacing fillies.
(Batavia Downs)