by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Lexington, KY — David Reid, David McDonald, Stan Klemencic and Malcolm Man Son Hing’s Hana Hanover equaled the world record for a 3-year-old pacing filly on a mile track in capturing the $78,000 third division of the Bluegrass Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies in 1:49.2 on Friday afternoon (September 28) at The Red Mile.

Nigel Soult photo

George Brennan piloted Hana Hanover to a 1:49.2 score in their Bluegrass division.

George Brennan was in the sulky for trainer Mark Steacy as the Western Hanover lass posted her sixth victory in just 10 season’s starts and raised her 2007 bankroll to $341,532. The victory matched the world record clocking jointly held by Incredible Tillie and Rainbow Blue.

Hana Hanover got away fourth as Cabana Fever (Mike Lachance) took the field to the opening quarter in :26.3. Heading down the backstretch, David Miller moved Liberty Skiberty to the front and they reached the half-mile marker in :55.

Still sitting fourth, Brennan finally moved Hana Hanover to the outside near the final turn and she motored to the front in a three-quarter clocking in 1:23. From there it was all Hana Hanover as she powered down the lane through a sizzling final quarter in :26.2 to reach the wire in 1:49.2. Artcotic (Tim Tetrick) closed to finish second, with Cabana Fever coming back to finish third.

“It didn’t feel like it,” said Brennan when asked if he knew Hana Hanover was closing so quickly. “She covered the ground real well. They were going pretty good and I had to go to the lead. She took off!”

Tidewaterdragonfly wins middle division in 1:50.1

David Beachler and Annefuria Singleton’s Tidewaterdragonfly was triumphant in the $77,000 second split of the Bluegrass Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday at The Red Mile.

Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Kelly O’Donnell as the Dragon Again miss was a winner for the fourth time this season, with her ’07 bankroll now at a healthy $466,913.

Last month’s winner in the $682,670 Fan Hanover final, Tidewaterdragonfly got away third on Friday as U All BB (Tim Tetrick) took the field to the opening quarter in :27.1 with Bolero Tallia (Mike Lachance) in second.

But heading to the half in :54.2, Pierce took Tidewaterdragonfly to the outside and she motored to the front and never looked back through second-half fractions of 1:22.2 and 1:50.1. U All BB held on for second, while Lady Mattgalane was third.

The winning time was a personal best for Tidewaterdragonfly, who is closing in on the $600,000 plateau in lifetime winnings.

Little Miss Dragon in command in opening split

Sophomore pacing fillies opened up their Grand Circuit action on Friday at The Red Mile as Adam Victor & Son Stable’s Little Miss Dragon won the opening $78,000 division of the Bluegrass Stakes in a time of 1:51.1.

John Campbell was in the bike for trainer Noel Daley as the Dragon Again miss took over the lead past the opening quarter and held off Isabella Blue Chip (David Miller) at the wire to win for the fourth straight time in 2007. Little Miss Dragon has banked $154,947 this year and with the victory, she crossed the $500,000 plateau lifetime.

“She’s really rolled into form lately,” commented driver John Campbell after the race. “A couple of things were bothering her earlier in the year but Noel (trainer Daley) was able to address them.”

Isabella Blue Chip left alertly from post six and took the field to the opening quarter in a pedestrian :29.3. Little Miss Dragon was out and rolling on the first turn, gained command on the backstretch and set subsequent fractions of :56.4, 1:24.2 and 1:51.1. Isabella Blue Chip held on for second, while Me And My Baby (Dave Palone) finished third.

“She kind of cruised,” added Campbell of Little Miss Dragon’s eighth lifetime triumph. “When I asked her to accelerate — that’s her game.”