by Ayers Ratliff, for Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — A festive and well-attended evening was made even better for Burke Racing Stable, The Panhellenic Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Lawrence Karr, when their horse Sassa Hanover won the $120,000 Courageous Lady on Friday (Nov. 27) at Northfield Park.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Sassa Hanover hung on to win the $120,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park.

Trained by Ron Burke and driven by North America’s leading money-winning driver, Yannick Gingras, Sassa Hanover prevailed in 1:52.1, a stakes and track record performance for 3-year-old filly pacers.

After blasting off the gate and pressing to get the lead through a :26 opening quarter on a sloppy track, Sassa Hanvoer led unchallenged through middle fractions of :55 and 1:23.2. Turning for home Gingras enjoyed a 2-1/2 length lead, but hung on by only a head over hard-charging Bettor N Better (Tim Tetrick).

“I thought she (Bettor N Better) got me in the last step,” said Gingras. “Sassa had to work very hard to get on top. She was tired but did everything she could to find the wire a winner.”

Sassa Hanover (Rock N Roll Heaven–Sayo Hanover) now has 16 wins in 34 lifetime starts. Friday’s victory increased her career bankroll to $1,008,469. She went to post as the bettors’ choice and returned $3.60 to win.

Completing the field were Bettor N Better, Southwind Roulette, Somewhere Sweet, Purrfect Bags, Luck Be A Lindy, Triple V Hanover and Band Of Angels.