by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Milton, ON — Easy Lover Hanover extended his win streak to nine and sent a statement to the sport’s top older pacers Saturday (May 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Ben Wallace trained 5-year-old came from off the pace to capture the Preferred Pace in a career-best 1:48.1.
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Easy Lover Hanover collects his ninth straight win in a career best 1:49 on Saturday evening.
Driven by Doug McNair, Easy Lover Hanover got away fourth in a field of five. Veteran Nirvana Seelster was sent to the front by driver Trevor Henry and posted hot fractions of :26.2, :54 and 1:21.2.There was no movement from the field until McNair moved Easy Lover Hanover to the outside approaching three-quarters.
In the lane, Easy Lover Hanover unleashed a furious rally and charged by his rivals in impressive fashion with a :26 kicker to grab his third win of the season and ninth consecutive overall.
Ellis Park, who followed ‘Easy Lover’ right from the start, also paced a huge final-quarter (:25.3) and stayed on the tail of the winner to finish second, beat three-parts of a length. Nirvana Seelster had to settle for third, while Fine Diamond and Fool Me Once rounded out the field.
Owned by Brad Grant, Easy Lover had quickly earned $51,000 in three starts this season, while bringing his career-earnings to north of $630,000. His career-best victory Saturday was the 28th career score for the 5-year-old gelding.
Easy Lover Hanover’s clocking of 1:48.1 established a North American season’s best and is the first sub-1:49 mile of the year. His previous career-mark was 1:49.
The Wallace trainee battled the sport’s top older pacers on a few occasions last season and more than held his own. He finished his 4-year-old season with six straight wins in Woodbine’s top class and his three wins this season now give him an unheard of nine consecutive Preferred scores.
Easy Lover Hanover is staked to many notable events this season, including the Canadian Pacing Derby. He paid $2.90 to win.