Anderson, IN – After finishing second in the same event last year, Allywag Hanover and driver Todd McCarthy made amends with an authoritative 1:47.3 victory in the $175,000 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby on Friday (Sept. 23).

Allywag Hanover captured the Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, and with it, became a double millionaire. Dean Gillette Photography.

Lou’s Pearlman and David Miller put in a gallant effort to finish second while Ponda Warrior and driver Kyle Wilfong finished third. With the victory, Allywag Hanover sent his lifetime purse earnings over the $2 million mark.

In one of the most exciting miles of the season, Allywag Hanover left alertly but was caught wide on the first turn through the opening panel in a snappy :25.2. Hellabalou and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. were the first to grab the lead but relented the lead to Allywag Hanover just before the half. Allywag Hanover’s lead was short lived as Lou’s Pearlman grabbed the lead at the second station in :53. The field continued to mix it up on the front with Lou’s Pearlman and David Miller continuing to lead the field through three-quarters in 1:20.

When the field turned for home, Lou’s Pearlman was still on top but was joined on the outside by the heavy post-time favorite Bythemissal and Yannick Gingras. McCarthy had Allywag Hanover perfectly placed second-over and when he showed his mount some clear racetrack, he responded with a :27.1 closing kick to get the win by a head over Lou’s Pearlman. Ponda Warrior and Kyle Wilfong rallied late to finish third.

“There was a lot more action early than I thought there would be,” driver Todd McCarthy noted in the winner’s circle. “I wasn’t exactly happy with my position in the first turn but it ended up working out for us and Allywag did his job tonight. That was a tremendous effort.”

The victory was the third win on the season in eleven starts. Trained by Brett Pelling for Allywag Stable, the gelded son of Captaintreacherous—Anderosa Hanover has now won 27 of 65 lifetime starts for $2,023,293 in career earnings.

Newsroom continues to make headlines in Elevation triumph

Hall of Famer David Miller guided Newsroom to his sixth consecutive win. The son of Always B Miki-Well Hello There has yet to taste defeat and hit the wire in 1:51.4 in the $110,00 Elevation Stake for 2-year-old pacing colts.

Trained by Joe Holloway, Newsroom is owned by Val D’Or Farms. Newsroom has earned $170,775 in his career and paid $2.20 to win.

Noblesville and Yannick Gingras finished second while Premier Romeo and Kyle Wilfong finished third.

Why Not Now continues his winning streak in Jenna’s Beach Boy

Why Not Now (LeWayne Miller) collected his second consecutive Harrah’s Hoosier Park victory with a win in the $127,500 Jenna’s Beach Boy in a new lifetime best 1:48.2. Coach Stefanos (Trace Tetrick) was second and Christchurch (Yannick Gingras) took third.

The 3-year-old son of Always A Virgin-Star Of The Show is trained by Dylan Davis. He is co-owned by his trainer, Howard Taylor and Jeffrey Billings. The colt now has a record of 21-6-6-4 and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $355,630.