Continual Hanover’s wicked final-quarter speed landed him in the winner’s circle for the first time at the Preferred level on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A field of seven older pacers squared off in the $34,000 feature with a pair of competitors seeking millionaire status. Nirvana Seelster needed a victory to surpass $1 million in career earnings on Saturday, while Sintra would hit that same mark with a top-four finish.
Easy Lover Hanover charged off the wings of the gate and battled by a fired-up Always A Hotshot to claim the lead and post opening-fractions of :26 and :54. Nirvana Seelster pulled from third entering the far turn and rushed up to poke a length in front of Easy Lover Hanover at three-quarters in 1:21.4.
In the stretch, Nirvana Seelster continued to power along and appeared to have a victory and milestone in sight. However, Continual Hanover flew home in :26 to come from a fourth over in sixth at three-quarters and win by half a length in a career-best 1:49. Nirvana Seelster had to settle for second, while Physicallyinclined and Always A Hotshot finished third and fourth, respectively.
Sintra, who got away sixth and was on the outside sitting fourth at three-quarters, crossed the wire fifth and now sits just $964 shy of $1 million in career earnings. The second-place finish by Nirvana Seelster second-place pushes his career earnings to $993,684.
Easy Lover Hanover faded to finish seventh after leading for nearly three-quarters of the mile. The five-year-old is one of three horses (Nirvana Seelster, Sintra) from Saturday’s Preferred eligible to the upcoming Canadian Pacing Derby.
Continual Hanover’s victory Saturday was his first in four attempts at the Woodbine Preferred. The five-year-old gelding was driven by Bob McClure for trainer Jeff Gillis.
Owned by Vogel And Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Pine Hill Racing Limited, Continual Hanover now has eight wins and $95,030 earned in 23 starts this season. The former Ontario Sires Stakes competitor sports career numbers of 24 wins and $372,190 earned.
Continual Hanover paced his final-quarter Saturday in :26 to extend his current streak of :27 or better kickers to seven-consecutive races. He paid $10.70 to win.
Live racing resumes Monday, Aug. 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.