Tivoli Hanover won his third straight Open Handicap pace and set a new track record in the process on Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
Leaving from an outside post in a field of seven for the $22,000 feature, Tivoli Hanover, with Anthony Morgan in the bike for Chris Oakes, took over the lead at the 3/8-mile marker. From there, the four-year-old gelding hung on to the lead despite relentless pressure on the outside from Alastor Hanover. In the stretch, Tivoli Hanover pulled away to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:49:2. Alastor Hanover settled for second while Poker Dice grabbed third.
The time of 1:49:2 was a career-best for Tivoli Hanover and also set a new Pocono record for four-year-old geldings on the pace. The previous mark of 1:50 was accomplished by Four Starz Sue and matched by Hesoneinamillion, both in 2007. The time fell just short of the all-time fastest pace ever at Pocono, a 1:49:1 mile paced last year by Up Front Jerry.
Tivoli Hanover, owned by Susan Oakes of Wilkes-Barre, PA and Rick Phillips of Tappan, NY, won his third straight in the class at Pocono and his fifth race in 16 starts this year. Sired by Western Hanover out of Tap Hanover, Tivoli Hanover now has 15 wins in his career with earnings over $512,000.
(Pocono Downs)