from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Doo Wop Hanover made it a series sweep, winning the $250,000 Graduate final for 4-year-old pacers in 1:48, but he had to work very hard to get to the winner’s circle on Friday night (July 3) at The Meadowlands.

Lisa photo

Doo Wop Hanover rallied late to win the Graduate final in 1:48.

The pace was frantic and frenzied early in the mile as Lyonssomewhere and Andy Miller were intent on the lead, parking out Bushwacker around the first turn. That speed duel resulted in a wild :25.2 first quarter. There was a chasm of nearly six lengths back to Rockeyed Optimist in fourth, who then had to make up that ground and commit first over, which enabled Doo Wop Hanover to track his cover from the half-mile pole onward.

Lyonssomewhere led the field past three-quarters in 1:21, with Rockeyed Optimist stalled first over and Doo Wop Hanover forced to fan three-wide at the three quarter pole. In the meantime, Limelight Beach was lurking in the pocket as the field turned for home.

Lyonssomewhere refused to yield ground as he continued to lead through the stretch. John Campbell got to work on Doo Wop Hanover and he was gathering momentum down the center of the track, but Lyonssomewhere just wasn’t giving up. Finally, in the shadow of the wire, Doo Wop Hanover was able to reel in the pacesetter and score the series sweep, getting up by a head over Lyonssomewhere who was very game in defeat to finish second, with All Bets Off a rallying third.

Doo Wop Hanover is trained by Steve Elliott and owned by Peter Blood and Rick Berks. Blood confirmed that Doo Wop Hanover will make his next start in the William Haughton Memorial, with eliminations (if necessary) to be held on Saturday (July 11) and the final on Meadowlands Pace Night (Saturday, July 18).

The victory was the 12th in the career of Doo Wop Hanover, who now has earnings beyond $566,000.

Both jackpots in the Super Hi-5 went unclaimed, with the fifth race carryover now standing at $173,354 and the last race carryover growing to $157,586.

Total handle for the Friday program yielded a 16 percent increase over 2014, with on-track handle up a staggering 46 percent. The large crowd remained after the races for a Fourth of July fireworks spectacular.

Post time for the 13-race Saturday program is 7:15 p.m.