Anderson, IN — Four weeks after his 1:45.4 world-record win in the William Haughton Memorial, Bulldog Hanover made his return to action a resounding one by way of a comfortable 1:48.1 victory in the $315,000 Dan Patch Stakes on Friday (Aug. 12) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Dexter Dunn, who drove the 4-year-old son of Shadow Play to his quartet of stakes victories at the Meadowlands earlier in the summer, made a controlled brushing move with Bulldog Hanover from third to take the lead from early pacesetter Workin Ona Mystery (David Miller) at the end of a :54.3 half. And once Bulldog Hanover cleared, he was in complete command. He evaded a first-over challenge from Rockyroad Hanover (Todd McCarthy) off the corner for home and shook away from his nine rivals with a :25.3 final quarter, finishing 2-3/4 lengths clear while well in hand. Rockyroad Hanover sustained his uncovered bid to finish second; Workin Ona Mystery was third.

“Working with a horse like him makes my job very easy,” said Dunn. “We got away cleanly and handily, and once I moved him, I had a handful of horse. The further he seems to go, the better he is.”

Trainer Jack Darling co-owns 22-time winner Bulldog Hanover, who has banked over $1.4 million, with Brad Grant.

Bulldog Hanover paid $2.40 to win.