Saratoga Springs, NY – Trainer George Ducharme usually thrives when he brings horses to race at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The veteran conditioner often sends some of his young trainees to town usually in the spring months to compete in races that serve as preps for Sire Stakes action or good tighteners throughout the season.

Hanna Dreamgirl scores for driver Frank Coppola Jr. and gives George Ducharme a training double. Photo credit Melissa Simser-Iovino.

On Wednesday afternoon (May 29), Ducharme sent two trainees to town and both found their way to the winner’s circle. Hanna Dreamgirl (Chapter Seven) recorded a win in her first NY Sire Stakes try this season and the sophomore proved up to the task in the $9,630 co-feature for New York sired trotters.

Frank Coppola Jr. piloted the three-year-old filly and moved her out to the early lead. Hanna Dreamgirl dealt with a parked-out rival, Certify, but had plenty left to record the win in 1:58.

Ducharme and Coppola Jr. also teamed up for a victory later in the day with young filly Crystalline (Chapter Seven) who scored for the second consecutive week.

Coppola drove the winner in the afternoon’s other co-feature as Andy Sardella’s The Royal Poze (RC Royalty) pulled off the upset at odds of 9-1. The Royal Poze came from off the pace to record a career-best victory in 1:58 in his $9,000 event for New York sired trotters. The Saratoga Hall of Famer Frank Coppola Jr. piloted four winners in total on the matinee card.

Live racing continues on Thursday afternoon (May 30) at Saratoga with a first race post of noon.