After pulling off a 12-1 upset in an elimination victory one week ago, Darlene Hanover was sent off as the even-money favourite in the $350,300 Jim Doherty Memorial and she didn’t disappoint her army of pari-mutuel supporters.
Driver Andrew McCarthy was in no hurry with the favourite in the early going, opting to ride parked out in seventh while Ixia Maculata S and driver Brian Sears sliced out an opening quarter in :27.1. Mazzarati was parked and driving past the opening panel for teamster Scott Zeron, who quickly marched his charge to the front in the backstretch.
Zeron was able to dictate the speed through middle panels of :56.3 and 1:26.3. Darlene Hanover commenced a first-over bid in the backside, and McCarthy’s unhurried approach paid off handsomely when he called on his charge at the head of the lane. Darlene Hanover rocketed home and drew clear to win by a comfortable margin over Material Girl in 1:55.1. Taking home the show dough was Ineffable for driver Brian Sears.
"Looking at the race on paper I actually didn't think I would see the inside," said driver Andrew McCarthy. "I was hoping if I just pushed off a little bit, I knew there would be some leavers in there and if I pushed off just a little bit I might be able to pick up some decent cover but the way it worked out I was just happy to be first over. I didn't really use her at all the first half so I just chugged on up there and I could just hang onto her until the head of the stretch, and she trotted home nice.
"She seems like the kind of filly that likes a target so I didn't want to change the game plan today going for good money," he added. "I thought I had the best horse and I was happy to just sit out there."
Darlene Hanover, who hangs her harness bag in the barn of trainer Brett Bittle, is owned by Yankeeland Partners LLP of Frederick, MD. The daughter of Chapter Seven-Danielle Hanover now boasts a 2-1-0 record from four assignments in addition to owning an eye-catching bankroll that now stands at $188,700.
The Jim Doherty Memorial is one of many stakes contested on the Hambletonian Day card at The Meadowlands. Read about the rest of the action in the Hambletonian Day News Centre.