Apprentice Hanover named December Horse of the Month
January 3, 2014,from the USTA Communications Department
Columbus, OH — Bradley Grant’s Apprentice Hanover, who won three races in December, including the $126,000 Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park, has been named the United States Trotting Association’s Horse of the Month.
Trained by Ben Wallace, the 3-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Allamerican Nadia colt was driven to each of his December victories by Jody Jamieson. Apprentice Hanover bankrolled $244,017 in 2013 on the strength of six victories in 19 starts.
Apprentice Hanover started off the month with a 1:51.2 score in a $22,560 conditioned pace at Woodbine and capped off the campaign with a 1:52.3 triumph in a $31,620 Preferred pace at Woodbine.
In between he defeated stakes company in Northfield Park’s Cleveland Classic, by making a sweeping three-wide move to win the race in 1:52.1 on Dec. 14.
Sent off at odds of 3-1 as a heavy snow fell on the half-mile oval, Apprentice Hanover got away fifth as favored Word Power (Scott Zeron) made the lead before the quarter, clocked in :27.
Twilight Bonfire (Tony Hall) was first to challenge the leader, timing a slingshot swipe before the half, timed in :56.2. Jamieson put Apprentice Hanover on Hall’s helmet in front of the grandstand for the first time.
Twilight Bonfire put up a stiff challenge through three-quarters in 1:24, but could only close within a head of Word Power. In mid-turn, Jamieson tipped Apprentice Hanover three-wide. The colt responded by blowing by the other two colts to win. Twilight Bonfire was second with Good Day Mate charging late for third.
Wallace had high hopes for the colt earlier in the year before an ulcer after the North America Cup derailed his racing schedule.
“He ruined my summer, to be honest,” he said in the winner’s circle after his Cleveland Classic score. “I never really got to take him into any races where I felt I had him trained up good. I babysat him for six weeks and started really training him in Lexington and he’s responded great.”