On Saturday night, young horses and geldings lined up for the Back To School Pacing Series that were contested at Kawartha Downs and Ratings Hanover proved to be at the top of his class picking up a win in the fastest of three $7,000 eliminations.
In the first division, trainer/driver Tom Durand and Ratings Hanover set their sights on the front end and after a :28.4 opening quarter posted by Deal Of The Day (John Thomson), the Mach Three colt advanced to the lead.
Ratings Hanover posted panels of :57.4 and 1:27 before pacing to the wire for the win in 1:56. Easyonthemix (Kevin Austin) finished a length and three quarters back in second and Presidio (Fred Brethour) was third.
The bay colt picked up his third lifetime win for Durand who co-owns with June Durand of Puslinch, Ont.
Starzilla and Brad Rae picked up the winner's share of the purse in the second division in 1:56.4.
Polish Pianist (Steve Skilton) was the early pacesetter, leading to the half in :59, but Neillie McRannie (Gord Brown) applied first over pressure to take over the lead in the 1:27.3 third quarter. Starzilla tipped off his cover in the stretch to come on for the win by a length and three quarters. J N Maverick (Fred Brethour) and Keep It Covert (Doug Brown) finished third in a dead heat.
The son of Jennas Beach Boy made his sixth trip to the winner's circle. He is trained by Phil Sizer for Antonio and Rocky Tangreda of Kettleby, Ont.
In the final division, Strott picked up his first lifetime win for trainer Elaine Reid and owner Larry Clancy of Peterborough, Ont.
Driven by Ian McCardle, the Aces N Sevens gelding who got away fourth advanced on the pacesetter and post time favourite Rambamthankumam (Brad Rae) through panels of :29, :58.2 and 1:27.3. The 10-1 shot scored by one and a half length in 1:57. At Least Three (Fred Brethour) came on for third.
The top nine finishers from the eliminations will go head-to-head next Saturday in the $12,000 (added) final.
To view Saturday's results, click here.