When Easy Lover Hanover lines up behind the gate in the inaugural Camluck Classic, trainer Ben Wallace admits he’s quite humbled to be involved in the Grand Circuit.
Following the devastating barn fire at Classy Lane Training Center in January of 2016, which claimed the lives of more than 40 horses, including 15 of Wallace’s, the veteran conditioner is thankful to be in the sport.
“In one day I was out of business,” Wallace said. “Just like that...but I’m certainly thankful to where we’re at today and just being able to see my name on the program.”
Wallace lost his millionaire and standout pacer Apprentice Hanover in the tragic fire, but he soon found another superstar in the making.
His name is Easy Lover Hanover.
“That was the very first horse we bought following the fire,” Wallace said. “He certainly was a turning point for me and helped with some bad memories of the past.”
Purchased for $70,000 by long-time owner Brad Grant, Easy Lover Hanover made an immediate impact in the Wallace barn.
The son of Somebeachsomwhere captured his first six races early in his three-year-old year with a sign of bigger and better things to come.
Easy Lover Hanover with his connections after winning the Progress Pace at Dover Downs (Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)
The 28-time winner capped off his sophomore season with a victory in the $314,000 Progress Pace before continuing his success as an aged horse.
“He’s always showed high speed and I think giving him the proper time off has paid off well. We had to give him a break at some point during his three-year-old year because he started racing very early otherwise it’s such a long season for him. ”
Last season, the Wallace trainee earned $215,000 and ended his campaign with six consecutive wins at the Preferred level on the WEG Circuit.
The now five-year-old picked up right where he left off winning his first three starts of the season, before tasting defeat for the first time last week.
“I was disappointed with his effort,” said Wallace. “I wish I had some sort of reason for the effort, but I don’t. He simply got beat.”
When mapping out the schedule for Easy Lover Hanover, Wallace had the inaugural Camluck Classic on the radar as the horses first major stakes event.
“It’s definitely something that Brad and I had talked about for this season. He’s bigger and stronger this year and he’s become a man. I think he can do some pretty nice things this season and we’re hopeful.”
Easy Lover Hanover will line up from post five in the Camluck Classic and will be reunited with regular pilot Doug McNair.
“I think you’re always worried about coming to the half, because it all depends on the draw and trip. I think any trainer will tell you that. We’re excited to be a part of the night and we’re hoping for the best.”
The field for the Camluck Classic (which includes post positions, horses, drivers, trainers and morning line odds) appears below.
CAMLUCK CLASSIC
(Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds)
1 – Sunfire Blue Chip – T. Henry – J. Takter – 9-2
2 – Isitfridayyet – A. Carroll – R. Moreau – 8-1
3 – Killer Martini – S. Coulter – R. Bucci – 10-1
4 – Rockin Ron – L. Roy – R. Burke – 5-2
5 – Easy Lover Hanover – D. McNair – B. Wallace – 7-2
6 – Evenin Of Pleasure – J. Bongiorno – J. Bongiorno – 4-1
7 – Dr J Hanover – Ja. MacDonald – T. Alagna – 8-1
8 – Bit Of A Legend N – J. Stratton – P. Tritton – 2-1
To view Saturday's entries, click on one of the following links: Western Fair - Saturday Entries - Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).
A special one-hour broadcast dedicated to the race will start at 10:30 p.m. and be available on the SC website. Produced by Woodbine Entertainment and streamed through Facebook Live, the show will be co-hosted by Woodbine's Jason Portuondo and Mark McKelvie and will include a feature story on Camluck and Seelster Farms. The show will also be featured on the Facebook pages of Woodbine and Western Fair.
The Camluck Classic has been carded as the final dash on the program (Race 12), which has an estimated post time of 11:10 p.m. (EDT). The one-hour show will feature top-class fillies and mares in the Preferred 2 Handicap Pace (Race 11) as well as the Camluck Classic.
SC's I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club has posted an online handicapping contest for the Camluck Classic card. Headed to the track? Don't forget to visit the Fan Club booth as one of the many attractions on-site in London. Below are the event details for this year’s Camluck Classic program:
Promotions
• VIP Infield Experience (tickets available online at camluckclassic.ca)
• Draws for Trackside Music Festival Tickets and 40-inch tv
• Draws for Beer and Barbecue Show tickets
• Molson Party on the Patio
• Camluck Classic Cheerleader Contest ($350 in cash to be won)
• Special Guest Mini Horse greeting patrons at the entrance
• Hat and T-shirt tosses throughout the night in the Grandstand and on the Patio
• National Anthem performed by rising country music star Julia Haggarty
• Scratch & Win programs (Hundreds of prize items to be redeemed)
Wagering Menu
• (15 percent takeout wagers)
• $5,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-3
• $10,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-4
• $15,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-4
• Three Super Hi-5 Wagers (races 7, 10 and 12)
• 3 percent Cash back on wagers through HPI
(with files from Western Fair)