Saratoga Springs, NY — The McDermott Stable is buckling up as their new shining star, Delayed Hanover, will be taking them from Spa City to the Grand Circuit, starting with Saturday evening’s (May 20) $155,000 Arthur Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands.

Delayed Hanover is a 5-year-old son of Southwind Frank and the Credit Winner mare Dont Wait Up. Owned by Reid Wissner and trained by Kevin McDermott, the trotter has a record of 1-1-3 in six starts this season. Delayed Hanover boasts a career record of 10-8-8 in 42 starts and $530,568 in lifetime earnings.

Wissner purchased Delayed Hanover at Harrisburg in November 2022 for $100,000. Trainer McDermott’s daughter, Mary, recalls.

“My dad and Reid had a list of horses and all were nice, top contender horses. Delayed was my pick. I remember texting my dad and telling him to make sure he’s on that list when we go look at horses. When we went into the ring, it was kind of a do-or-die situation because we also liked the next horse who was coming into the ring and we never thought Delayed would only bring $100,000. My dad’s guess was $200,000!

“After the hammer hit and the auctioneer pointed to my dad, Reid, who’s been nothing but amazing with us, was just gleaming with joy, shocked, because we got him for $100,000! Before we could even get the horse to the trailer, my dad was getting texts with people offering us more than what he just went for, but I think my dad knew he was too special, so we loaded up the trailer and headed home to Saratoga.”

Mary says that Delayed Hanover is a special horse that lights up the barn.

Delayed Hanover and trainer Kevin McDermott, both based at Saratoga Casino Hotel, are poised to tackle the Grand Circuit in 2023, beginning with Saturday’s Arthur Cutler Memorial. Jessica Hallett photo.

“He’s a complete clown. He loves to play. He has a personality anyone would love. He’s always the first to greet you, expecting treats! I like to say he looks like a broodmare ready to foal by the size of him!”

Delayed Hanover’s favorite treats are Nicker Makers, and, according to Mary, he loves his jolly balls and chew chains, but he will play with anything he can get his mouth on.

Delayed has a daily routine consisting of daily jogging and training two miles every Wednesday. He travels to GMP Farm Rehabilitation and Training every week to go into their cold water salt spa for 25 minutes. He is turned out almost every day.

“We really try to get him out of the stall, whether it’s walks or out in the paddock daily, weather permitting,” Mary said. “He enjoys long walks with Kevin and rolling in the sawdust pile.”

“Delayed Hanover is a very nice horse,” trainer Kevin McDermott said. “He’s always coming at the wire. We paid him into a lot of the big races this year and are hoping for the best. I’m very pleased with how he is coming along and he seems to be getting better and better every week.”

Last week, Delayed posted a third-place finish in the Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel with driver Shawn Gray. Going forward, his racing will be focused on the Grand Circuit schedule, starting with Saturday night’s Cutler. Delayed Hanover is staked to almost all of the major open trotting races this year. His connections’ end goal is to make it to the Breeders Crown Final at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Oct. 28 and the FanDuel Final at the Meadowlands on Nov. 25.

“Grand circuit is a long season and we have high hopes for Delayed, but just being able to have him in our barn and be able to take this trip with him will be amazing!” Mary said. “I think he’s brought the joy back into harness racing for my dad and his owner. My dad spends every day at the barn until 2 p.m. just working on Delayed, making sure he is at the top of his game. He cares for his horses beyond words.”

“We’ve had some pretty great horses over the years,” Mary continued. “In 2009 and 2010, I got to travel with my father Grand Circuit-style with Hypnotic Blue Chip, who went on to be the world’s fastest pacer that year with a mark of 1:47.2. I think Delayed is going to give us that trip in 2023. If anyone deserves this trip, it’s my dad, 10 times over. I wish him, Reid and Delayed nothing but the best this year, and I can’t wait to be a part of the journey. A couple trips to the winner’s circle wouldn’t hurt either!”