Midsize Construction's Tyson Hanover ($3.00) overcame an early bobble to post his fifth consecutive win at Ocean Downs on Thursday, Aug. 29.
After briefly breaking stride amid a wide leave attempt in his $10,135 test, Tyson Hanover sustained a gradual two-wide attack through the first three-quarters of the mile to overpower 71-1 pacesetter On Line. The sophomore Stay Hungry gelding delivered another knockout punch in the stretch for trainer-driver Rick Still, evading runner-up Take It To Hardt by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:55.
After a winless five-start rookie season, Tyson Hanover is now perfect in five sophomore attempts. He's banked $21,973 in those efforts.
Bet On Buter turned a three-hole trip into an odds-on victory in Thursday's featured event at Ocean Downs, an $11,486 optional claiming pace.
One of three horses in the field in for the optional $20,270 base tag, Bet On Buter sat third as Real Surreal and Rhythm Of The Rein disputed a :28 first quarter. At the :57 halfway point, William Carter activated Bet On Buter first-over, and the four-year-old Huntsville gelding took over second from a tiring Rhythm Of The Rein with three-eighths to go. After closing ground into a :27.3 third quarter, Bet On Buter collared Real Surreal in the final 70 yards and won by a widening length in 1:53.2. Cheese Omelet was a beaten third after having won his previous three starts.
Bet On Buter, who races for owner-trainer Darren Ferrell, has now won eight times this season and 16 times in his career. He paid $3.40 to win.
One week remains in the 2024 harness racing meet at Ocean Downs: Live racing will take place Sunday (Sept. 1), Wednesday (Sept. 4) and Thursday (Sept. 5) with post time each night set for 7:05 p.m.
(Ocean Downs)