Lebanon, OH – At first there were 80…then 40…20…and 10. Now there’s just one—Do Over Hanover—who reigns as King Of The Hill in the $5,000 claiming ranks at Miami Valley Raceway. The eight-year-old son of Western Ideal survived all four legs of the popular annual Survivor Series to claim the crown and the winner’s share of the $20,000 championship pot on Monday (Feb. 22) afternoon.

Do Over Hanover was plucked for $5,000 from the first leg by trainer Michelle Finn for the MM&D Racing Stable, when he finished second despite starting from the outside nine-hole behind the gate. Finn enlisted driver Tyler Smith to try and advance from Round Two, despite another outside draw. All the pair did was upset their second round combatants with a 1:53.3 front end score at 7-1 odds. Do Over established himself as one of two heavy favorites for the lucrative final by following up with another gate-to-wire victory in Round Three, this victory by over six lengths.

Do Over Hanover (#7) held off Montana Pablo A to become the sole survivor in Miami Valley’s Survivor Series. Conrad photo.

Main Survivor Series rival Montana Pablo A (Trace Tetrick), a 14-year-old who won divisions of all three preliminary legs in the series and would have eclipsed $500,000 in earnings with a win, drew inside Do Over Hanover and thus was dispatched as the 3-5 favorite by the public when the championship field was sent on its way.

Although Do Over Hanover is a noted quick leaver, his opening burst from another outer post in this race was exceptional—the first eighth of the mile clocked quicker than :13 seconds. After securing such an easy early lead, Smith throttled his charge through fractions of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Montana Pablo A got away fifth and was forced to race outside with cover most of the way. Finally getting up on almost even terms with Do Over Hanover as the pair swung off the final bend, Montana Pablo A inched away at Do Over Hanover’s precarious advantage, but couldn’t quite manage before the finish was reached in 1:54.2. Jamaican A Bundle (Tyler Lough) was well placed early and was best of the rest in the end.

Do Over Hanover’s resume now includes 32 wins in 116 starts, good for $343,046 in career bounty. He paid $6.40 for his Survivor Series triumph, and couple with Pablo Montana A the exacta returned $15.