by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Delaware, OH — Aracache Hanover and driver Doug McNair led from start to finish as they claimed the $58,050 Winbak Pace for older male pacers in 1:50.2 on Thursday (Sept. 22) at the Delaware County Fair.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Favored Aracache Hanover led from start to finish in the Winbak Pace.
Sent off at odds of 1-5, the 4-year-old Aracache Hanover rolled to the front from post one and was never threatened on his way to his third win of the season in 18 starts. He pushed his season’s earnings to nearly $250,000 and his career earnings to $1 million.
Valentino was second and Trick Man finished third.
“He’s the right one to bring (to Delaware); he’s a good horse on a half-mile track,” trainer Gregg McNair said. “He’s got good gate speed, so you might as well use it.”
Aracache Hanover has won 15 of 49 career starts. Last season as a 3-year-old, he won the Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs and the Windy City Pace at Maywood Park — both on half-mile ovals.
“He’s been a good horse,” McNair said, adding about the transition to facing older horses, “He’s been better (than I expected). I didn’t think he would get as many starts this year and then probably next year be even stronger. But he’s holding his own with them.”
Aracache Hanover paid $2.60 to win.