Emoticon Hanover, Hannelore Hanover take Miss Versatility divisions in world and track record time
July 15, 2017,by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications
East Rutherford, NJ — In a 1:51 world-record performance for a 4-year-old mare, Emoticon Hanover and Daniel Dube made light work of the field to win their division of the $30,000 Miss Vesatility for open trotting mares by 1-1/2 lengths on Saturday night (July 15) at The Meadowlands.
New Image Media photo
Emoticon Hanover (pictured here in a 2016 triumph at Mohawk Racetrack) equals the world record established by Hannelore Hanover of 1:51.
Dube got the daughter of Kadabra off the gate and to the lead first before the :28.3 first quarter and held Broadway Donna and David Miller behind them to the :56 half-mile maker. They were in the same order at the 1:24.2 three-quarters, after Broadway Donna came off the rail briefly and then retreated.
In deep stretch, Emoticon Hanover ($9.80 to win) trotted away from the field as Pasithea Face S slipped up the rail to be second and Broadway Donna was third, three-quarters of a length behind her on the outside.
“She went around the track nice and easy,” said Dube. “I just let her trot at the end and she did it very easy. I saw (Broadway Donna) coming and my mare responded really good.”
Emoticon Hanover is owned by Determination Stable of Montreal and trained by Luc Blais.
In the other division, defending Dan Patch champion Hannelore Hanover ($2.10) and driver Yannick Gingras never had an anxious moment, winning the first of the two divisions by five lengths in 1:50.3, a new career mark and track record.
Side Bet Hanover (Corey Callahan) was first off the starting gate, getting to the lead before the :27.3 first quarter. Hannelore Hanover was out and on the move just past that point and crossed over to the lead along the rail by the :55 half, with Side Bet Hanover tucked in behind her.
Hannelore Hanover led the way to the 1:23.1 three-quarters with Side Bet Hanover behind her and Sweet Thing (Tim Tetrick) making a play for the lead on the outside. As the field turned for home, Hannelore Hanover trotted away from the field, leaving Caprice Hill in second and Oho Diamond a half-length behind her in third.
Hannelore Hanover is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Jerry and Teresa Silver.
“She’s definitely sounder (than last year) so it makes it easier,” said Gingras. “At times last year she was a little sore, but now she’s really sound. That was a really good mile tonight and now she’s ready to rock. (Racing against the male trotters) is definitely on the horizon.
“We’ve got them on the radar for the big purses and also against the girls, but we’re going to face them soon,” he said.
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