The following is the second of the eight-part series 'The Leaders of the Pack,' a closer look at the eight New York Sire Stakes divisional leaders and their biggest threats in the $1.8-million Night of Champions, which will take place at Yonkers Raceway on September 22.
Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot
The Leader: Tirade Hanover, a gelded son of Crazed, out of the Royal Strength mare Teagarden Hanover. He is owned by Leigh Nicol, Stephen Moss and Harold and Helene Solomon, and is trained by Tyler Raymer.
When you’re not at your best, and you still win a $48,789 division of the New York Sire Stakes Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot from Post 8 on Monticello Raceway’s half-mile track, you’re pretty special, which Tirade Hanover is.
With Brian Sears driving, Tirade Hanover held off Blackwolf Run and Ruckus by half a length in 2:01 as the 1-2 post-time favourite in the third NYSS division at Monticello Wednesday. The final time wasn’t even close to Fashion Blizzard’s 1:58.2 score in the middle division, though Wannacmyguns took the first division in 2:01.2.
Tirade Hanover’s final quarter was :30.1, nothing close to final panels of :27.3 at Vernon Downs, :28.2 at Batavia, :28.3 at Buffalo and Saratoga he’d trotted in earlier this summer.
“Brian and I were a little concerned, so we had him scoped,” Raymer said. “He just came out of it a little sick, nothing that’s not treatable. Even when he’s not perfect, he has the will to win. He’s a special animal. Horses like him don’t come around too often.”
Raymer expects Tirade Hanover to be okay in time for the final NYSS race, (September 13, Yonkers Raceway), which is also the site of the $225,000 final on the Night of Champions, September 22.
The 37-year-old Raymer, who races horses off his farm in the Poconos, had Tirade Hanover’s two-year-old season mapped out to compete in the New York Sire Stakes. “That’s been the plan all along,” he said. “The New York program is the best program, not just from a money point of view. They actually allow them to learn to be a good horse. The competition is good enough, and the races are spaced out. He’ll end the year with 11 starts.”
Tirade Hanover couldn’t have started his year any better, as he won a baby race at Pocono Downs in 1:58.4 by nine and a quarter lengths; then a two-year-old stakes at the Pennsylvania track by nine and a half lengths in 1:58 at odds of 1-10. When he made his sire stakes debut at Vernon Downs, he drew Post 8, but won anyway in 1:57, quite a performance for a two-year-old making his second pari-mutuel start.
His victory at Monticello was his sixth in nine starts, with one second and one third.
The 242 points he’s earned in the NYSS give him a comfortable cushion in the standings. Explosive Action, who broke in the first division at Monticello at 1-10, is second with 200, followed by Royalty For Life (192), Fashion Blizzard (175), Creditora (125), Insider Access (119), Blackwolf Run (115), Wannacmyguns (108) and Lindys Creditline (105). Twisted Pretzel and Prove Up are tied at 100, while Ex King and Theraputic are tied at 95.
Only the top eight qualify for the $225,000 final, and the September 13 NYSS at Yonkers is the last chance to make it.
Tirade Hanover’s biggest threat may be Fashion Blizzard, who finished third in the final of the Haughton Memorial before winning two straight NYSS divisions at Tioga Downs and Monticello.
(The Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund)
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