Dundas, ON — After only racing once as a rookie and missing his entire sophomore season, Linedrive Hanover ($6.80) has most definitely found his groove as a 4-year-old. The gelded son of Betting Line paced the fastest mile in the history of Flamboro Downs when he defeated Desperate Man and seven other rivals in Sunday night’s (May 22) C$273,500 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup, for 4-year-old pacers, in 1:49.

The previous all-age pacing mark at Flamboro — 1:49.2 — belonged to Somebeachsomewhere, who registered that time in the 2008 Confederation Cup, then for 3-year-old pacers.

James MacDonald left aggressively with Linedrive Hanover from post five and seated Desperate Man (Trevor Henry) into the pocket through a :27 first quarter. Linedrive Hanover gelding was forced to maintain his blistering pace through the middle half as Bulldog Hanover (Jody Jamieson) mounted a first-over charge out of third on the far turn, pushing forward to engage Linedrive Hanover through a :55 half but facing significant resistance on the second circuit.

Linedrive Hanover shrugged off Bulldog Hanover‘s failed middle move, evaded a three-wide push from 2021 Breeders Crown runner-up Charlie May (David Miller) nearing three-quarters in 1:22, and then parried one last challenge from pocket foe Desperate Man in the stretch to win by a length while driven out. Dean B Hanover (Jordan Stratton) was a ground-saving third.

Bulldog Hanover salvaged fourth after flattening late; Charlie May could only muster a seventh-place finish after failing to threaten off stalled cover.

Anthony Beaton trains Linedrive Hanover, a winner in 11 of 13 career starts, for the West Wins Stable, McKinlay & Fielding, and Mac Nichol.

Previously known as the Confederation Cup, the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup was renamed for the 2022 renewal to pay tribute to the late philanthropist and founder of Flamboro Downs.

In the sub-featured C$50,000 Margaret Juravinski Invitational, for 4-year-old pacing mares, Awesome Hill ($3.30) overcame post eight to record a 1:53.4 win, grinding down 31-1 pacesetter Beach Moment and withstanding a late push from pocket rival Mystifying by a head. Doug McNair drove the daughter of Sunshine Beach for trainer Chantal Mitchell and owner Tom Hill.