In most fitting fashion, Rehab Mountain captured the Brad Hanners Memorial Tribute Open Trot at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night (September 19).
The race was intended to honour the memory of Brad Hanners, one of Ohio's most distinguished driver/trainers over the past two decades who passed away at age 43 on Tuesday, a victim of renal cell carcinoma cancer. Rehab Mountain has been the star of the Hanners Stable over the past two years and was driven to victory in an Open Trot at Scioto Downs by Hanners as late as July 24. The eight-year-old gelding has now won 17 races and just under $200,000 in the last two seasons.
On this occasion, driver Dan Noble took full advantage of his inside rail draw and took no prisoners as the 5-2 second choice. Posting early fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:25.3, Rehab Mountain trotted home in :28.4 to complete his mission over Southwind Pepino (Sandy Beatty) and Il Sogno Dream (Kayne Kauffman). Although Travis Redden was listed as trainer and sent the winner to post, it would be hard to convince any of Brad Hanners' dozens of fellow drivers, trainers and friends who gathered to pay tribute to their pal with a moment of silence following the race that Hanners' presence wasn't felt in the winner's circle.
Hanners was a star all-sports athlete at nearby Miami Trace High School before launching his successful harness career, which ended with 4,888 driving victories and 358 training triumphs. He is survived by his wife Alicia and four children, whom Hanners loved to watch play a variety of sports. The children, in turn, shared his passion for the horse business as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The best male pacers at the meet also went postward Saturday with Dedis Dragon (Chris Page) capturing the $12,000 Open over Mykindachip (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) and One Lucky Dragon (Kyle Ater) in 1:52.2.
(With files from Dayton)