by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Emoticon Hanover (Daniel Dube) defeated Hannelore Hanover and Pasithea Face S to capture the $150,000 Joie De Vie in an all-track world record for 4-year-old mares in 1:50.2 at Tioga Downs on a Sunday (Aug. 27) matinee card.

Leaving from post position four in a field of six very classy females, Emoticon Hanover would trot straight to the front and remain there while establishing fractions of :26.0, :55.1 and 1:22.4. Defending Dan Patch Award winner Hannelore Hanover (Yannick Gingras) would attempt to snatch the leading position before the first quarter pole, but she and her regular pilot settled for the pocket seat.

Emoticon Hanover is the sport’s latest world champion with a 1:50.2 mile at Tioga Downs.

As Emoticon Hanover continued to stride on after the half-mile marker favorite Pasithea Face S (Tim Tetrick), decided now the was the time to place her bid for victory and came first-over. That mare’s bid was rebuffed and only Hannelore Hanover remained to place pressure upon Emoticon Hanover in the drive for the wire.

Emoticon Hanover, conditioned by Luc Blais, is owned by Determination and after her half-length record triumph now possesses a resume of 34-13-8-6 with a bankroll of $813,552.

Hannelore Hanover held strong in the lane to hit the finish line just ahead of the swiftly closing O’Brien Award winner Caprice Hill (Brian Sears). Track record holder Pasithea Face S faded to fourth after her early efforts.

Emoticon Hanover paid $14.40 to win, with the exacta providing $49.20 and the trifecta $30.12.

Crawford Farms Open Trot ($170,000)

Resolve (Ake Svanstedt), the public’s even money selection, once again displayed his powerful form as he trotted to yet another track record over the fast closing Cufflink Hanover (Corey Callahan) and Flanagan Memory (Brian Sears) in 1:51.4.

Yannick Gingras and Crazy Wow shot out of the gate to control the early lead in fractions of :27, :56 and 1:23.2. Content to trot in fourth position through three-quarters of the contest Svanstedt moved Resolve first-over to be second at the top of the stretch and the world champion simply took care of business the rest of the way home with nine rivals in his wake.

For the fourth occasion this season and the 18th of his 57-race career, Resolve, who is owned by Hans Enggren, visited the winner’s enclosure. He paid $4.00 to win and spearheaded a $49.20 exacta in addition to a $61.25 trifecta.

Fred Brown photos

Resolve adds to his extensive resume with a 1:51.4 track record on Sunday afternoon.

Artiscape Pace ($158,00)

Despite not placing her name in the books for a track or world record, dual Dan Patch Award winner Pure Country’s performance was extremely impressive. Guided by Mark MacDonald the 4-year-old mare, fresh off her first win of 2017 in the Lady Liberty on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 5) went right to the lead from post five in the six-horse field and never relinquished that advantage.

Pure Country (3-1), timed in 1:50.4, set fractions of :26.4, :55.1 and 1:22.1 en route to victory. Although 6-5 favorite Nike Franco N (Tim Tetrick) loomed large from a first-over bid and Frost Damage Blues (3-1, Corey Callahan) made her bid along the pylons, the winner never appeared to be in serious danger.

With Frost Damage Blues securing the show spot and Nike Franco N placing third, Pure Country, who is trained by Jimmy Takter and owned by Diamond Creek Farm, paid $8.60 to win. The exacta was $53.00 and the trifecta $34.62.

W.N. Reynolds Memorial Races

Also included on the star-studded card were six divisions of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial. The winners are as follows:

In The Judge Moore: First division Keystone Apache, second division Farsetti Hanover

The Lorraine: I’m Trigger Happy

The Tar Heel: First division Closing Statement, second division Karpathian Kid

The Meda: Bill’s Lady would equal the track record for freshman filly trotters of 1:55.1