Veteran trotter Big Bruiser, owned and trained by Colonel Schneider, Jr. of Arthur, Ont., earned the first victory of his 10-year-old campaign with a dominating gate-to-wire effort in the $10,750 final of the Hanover Trotting Series
for $4,000 claimers on Wednesday evening at Hanover Raceway.
With the inside post advantage, Big Bruiser took control of the field and carved out fractions of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:28.4 en route to a 2:00.3 triumph. Reckless (Bob McClure) came on for second, finishing three and a quarter lengths behind the winner, with pocket-sitter Nordic Agreement (Ryan Holliday) rounding out the top three. Favourite Road To Glory (Stuart Sowerby) advanced first up from third after the opening quarter, but ended up finishing fourth.
Big Bruiser, a runner-up in his elimination to Road To Glory, paid $8.80 to win as the 3-1 second choice. The son of Inquirier-Lone Justice was driven to victory for the 37th time in his career by Mark Etsell. The bay gelding, who has hit the board in five of his seven starts this year, increased his career bankroll to $156,374.
For results from Wednesday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Hanover Raceway.