Allywag Hanover, a close-up third in The Meadowlands Pace two months ago, ended a personal three-race losing streak with authority Saturday night (Sept. 19) at The Meadowlands, exploding home in the final eighth to take a high-end conditioned pace in 1:49.2.
“We’ve seen him get airborne before,” said trainer Brett Pelling. “He gets going faster than most horses go.”
Heading into the ninth race, it was difficult to know which Allywag Hanover would show up, given his disappointing fourth-place finish in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship as the 3-5 favourite at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sept. 6.
“When he came back from Canada [after finishing sixth in the North America Cup on Aug. 29], he coughed a little on the Monday before the Sire Stakes,” said Pelling. “He had some clear mucus, and he had the same thing Friday, which was very acceptable. But at Philadelphia, he came up sick, so that was pretty devastating.”
After taking antibiotics and getting some rest, Allywag Hanover was ready to go Saturday off 12 days rest.
Rodeo Rock, a veteran hard-hitter with a lifetime bankroll of over $723,000, grabbed the lead at the half after brushing from an early three-hole, and the 6-5 second choice had things his own way after getting clear of the field through a third fraction of :27.1 saw him reach three-quarters in 1:22.3. At the head of the stretch, Rodeo Rock was sailing along on a twon-and-a-half-length advantage while Allywag Hanover was a non-threatening fourth racing with cover with plenty to do.
At the eighth pole, Rodeo Rock still looked like the winner, but Allywag Hanover, much like he did on July 4 when he kicked home in :25.3 to win in 1:48, found another gear to nail Rodeo Rock at the finish by a neck after pacing a final quarter in :26. Like Clockwork was third.
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“It looked to me like he moved twice,” said Pelling. “[Driver Tim] Tetrick said the same thing. He was going, then it looked like he spotted [Rodeo Rock] and started going again.”
In upping his lifetime stats to eight wins from 19 starts, Allywag Hanover returned $3.60 to his backers as the 4-5 public choice. His earnings now stand at $234,163 for owners Allywag Stable.
“He’s going to Hoosier Park Friday for the Jennas Beach Boy Stakes,” said Pelling. “And he has other races, too. He’s Breeders Crown eligible. Beyond that, I’m pretty sure he’ll race beyond this year, but it hasn’t been spoken about yet.”
A LITTLE MORE: Todd McCarthy continued to make a big impression at The Meadowlands, driving three winners on the program. Andy McCarthy’s 27-year-old little brother has now won nine races over the last three Big M programs.
All-source handle on the 13-race card was $2,448,703, capping a second-straight weekend where wagering exceeded the $5-million mark.
Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Meadowlands Racetrack)