After making a break in his first start at Plainridge Park in August, Corbin Hanover had all the answers on Monday, Sept. 21 as he barrelled home late to win the $26,761 featured conditioned pace and take a new lifetime mark.
Corbin Hanover (Mitchell Cushing) got away sixth as D A Lets Dance (Matty Athearn) and Be Ready To Rock (Nick Graffam) traded leads twice as they rolled through the quarter in :27.2. D A Lets Dance finally settled on the front and took the group to the half in :56.2 before turning onto the backstretch.
As the field moved towards three-quarters in 1:24.1, Tahunanui (Michael Oosting) pulled first-over, and Corbin Hanover pulled right behind him but was gapping when he got underway. D A Lets Dance was still in control on the final turn, but Cushing tipped Corbin Hanover three-deep and put him to a drive. Corbin Hanover made up the three lengths he was behind as they straightened for home, and then bolted ahead by two lengths at the line, coming home in a lightning :26.4 to win in 1:51.3. D A Lets Dance finished second, followed by Be Ready To Rock.
Corbin Hanover ($7.20) took his third win in 17 starts in his debut season. He won for the first time in two attempts since entering the barn of Cushing, who trains the gelding and owns him in partnership with Ray Lasky and Carl Howard. The three-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Calgary Hanover has now earned $50,823.
In the $21,126 starter allowance pace, Sweet Street Lou (Nick Graffam) made a three-wide move approaching the :27 quarter to take the lead and control the race. Sweet Street Lou continued to lead to the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.1, where Head Honcho (Mitchell Cushing) made a push for the front but was held at bay by the leader past that station and around the last bend. When the pacers entered the stretch, Sweet Street Lou was pacing with authority and pulled away to a 1-1/2-length win in 1:51.4. Hespoisedtopounce A (Matty Athearn) was third.
Sweet Street Lou ($5), a five-year-old son of Sweet Lou-Rose Run Uptowngal, is trained by Dale Andersen, who shares ownership with Kristian Andersen.
Mitchell Cushing and Nick Graffam both registered hat tricks at the lines on the 11-race program.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)