by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — A busy week of Hanover Stakes action came to a conclusion on Sunday, July 18, at Balmoral Park as a total of 22 diagonally gaited sophomore colts squared off in a pair of $28,250 Hanover Stake splits.

Great Emancipator posted a front stepping victory in the first of two $28,250 Hanover Stake divisions.

In the first division Doug Ackerman Stables’ Great Emancipator made it look easy as he made every call a winning one while recording a 2-1/4 length triumph in a career best of 1:55.2.

Confidently handled by driver Brad Kramer, the homebred son of Striking Sahbra-Minnesota Carol shot right to the top from post position two. Trotting through splits of :28, :57.1 and 1:25.3, the D.R. Ackerman trainee was in complete command as he strolled under the finish wire with his sixth win in nine starts this season. Defend The Rock (Dave Magee) followed the winner’s every move but was forced to settle for the runner-up role on this night while Big Bucks (Casey Leonard) finished third.

Balmoral Park photos

Big Sky Revenue unleashed a furious stretch rally to win the second division of Sunday’s Hanover Stake.

The second division provided a major upset as Lake To Sky Farms and Mark Fransen’s Big Sky Revenue came flying down the stretch to win by a half-length at odds of 18-1 in a lifetime best of 1:56 for driver Dale Hiteman.

Despite being second to last as the field trotted by the half-mile mark the good looking son of Revenue S-Montana Maple unleashed a :28.1 final quarter to reel in a leg weary Thro Time (Brad Kramer), who had a five length advantage at the mid-stretch call. The victory was the fourth in nine starts this year for the Mark Fransen trainee who has been based at Balmoral Park throughout his sophomore campaign. Thro Time managed to hold on for second while Powerful Speed (Todd Warren) uncorked a big late rally to grab the show dough.