London, ON — The C$150,000 Camluck Classic Invitational, presented by Seelster Farms, delivered a thrilling and dramatic finish Friday night (May 30) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District. In a dramatic turn of events, Ervin Hanover was declared the winner after his stablemate Brue Hanover, who crossed the wire first, was disqualified and placed third for a pylon violation in the final strides.
Brue Hanover, riding a seven-race win streak, left alertly from post five and seized the early lead before yielding to Chase H Hanover at the opening quarter. Not content to sit, Brue Hanover quickly retook the front, only to face an immediate challenge from stablemate Ervin Hanover, who surged to the lead before the half in a blistering :54.3.
Ervin Hanover maintained command through three-quarters in 1:22.3, with Chase H Hanover looming off cover and Brue Hanover searching for racing room. The trio thundered down the stretch in a heart-pounding three-across finish, with Brue Hanover narrowly getting his nose to the wire first — only to be placed third for a pylon infraction.
The revised order of finish handed the victory to Ervin Hanover, trained by Dave Menary and owned by Pollack Racing, of Venetia, Pa. It marked the 17th career win for the talented pacer, pushing his lifetime earnings just shy of the C$600,000 mark. Chase H Hanover was elevated to second, with Brue Hanover officially third.
The undercard featured another standout performance in the C$50,000 Forest City Pace, for mares. Caviar N Crackers, Canada’s hottest female pacer, dazzled in her half-mile track debut, stopping the clock in a sparkling 1:53.2. The six-race win streak continues for the mare, who is owned, trained, and driven by the husband-and-wife team of Ed and Ashleigh Hensley.
The program also featured a quartet of C$40,000 London Classic Series Finals along with three C$25,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts.
London Classic Series Winners
Seeme Zoom – Horse and Gelding Trot
Mai Tide – Filly and Mare Pace
Kaylas Incharge – Filly and Mare Trot
SOS Sports Bet – Horse and Gelding Pace
Ontario Sires Stakes Winners
Out Of Ice
Torque Delight
Time Passer
The Camluck Classic card lived up to its billing, delivering high-stakes action, emotional twists, and unforgettable performances under the lights at Western Fair. A large crowd took in the card despite some persistent rainfall throughout the evening. Overall handle was just shy of C$800,000 for the 12-race program.
The Camluck Classic card concluded The Raceway’s live racing season. The track will be dark during the summer months with racing slated to return in early October.