from Standardbred Canada

Mississauga, ON — Favorite Filibuster Hanover held off his rivals to win the 40th edition of the $142,350 Confederation Cup on Sunday night (May 20) at Flamboro Downs.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, the favored Ron Burke trainee Filibuster Hanover kept stablemate Eddard Hanover (Louis-Phillipe Roy) at bay then held off fellow elimination winner Western Joe (Doug McNair) at the wire in 1:51.4, but a pair of judges’ inquiries kept the winner’s circle celebrations on hold for a short time.

Filibuster Hanover fired off the gate from post three with Western Joe driving on from post seven to secure the pocket spot ahead of inside starter Daiymir (Jonathan Drury). After a :26 opening panel, Eddard Hanover launched his first-over bid from fourth while 1-2 favorite Filibuster Hanover raced on through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24. Down the stretch, Western Joe closed through the passing lane, but Filibuster Hanover held on to win by a half-length, with Eddard Hanover crossing the wire in third place, 1-1/4 lengths behind.

Filibuster Hanover survived an inquiry as judges ruled he went inside one pylon and hit another pylon on the final turn and therefore did not violate the rules of racing.

“I watched everything and tried to see where the other horses were so I didn’t see it at all, but I’m glad it went the way it did,” said a relieved Mickey Burke Jr., assistant trainer for the Burke stable, which previously won back-to-back editions of the Confederation Cup in 2015 and 2016 with All Bets Off and Rockin Ron.

Eddard Hanover inherited second-place following another judges’ inquiry, giving the Burke stable a 1-2 finish. Western Joe was placed third for a pylon violation as judges ruled he went inside two consecutive pylons on the final turn and was lapped on at the finish by Eddard Hanover.

“That’s a big bonus (inheriting second-place),” said Burke. “The horse raced super. I hate to see placings just because I hate to win that way, but I’m glad it went in our direction.”

Filibuster Hanover is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Joseph Di Scala Jr., J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi. With a perfect three-for-three record to start his 4-year-old campaign, last year’s Little Brown Jug champion pushed his bankroll to $941,153. The Somebeachsomewhere-Fashion Ecstasy gelding now boasts 10 wins among 22 top three finishes from 36 starts.

“The 4-year-olds are still growing yet and going up against the aged horses that have all gotten to their speed, this colt’s still coming into his own,” said Burke. “Getting these races, here and the Prix d’Ete and the Graduate Series, this is a good thing for him. It’s a good teaching time and it’s a little easier for him.

“Right now he’s showing a lot of power and speed getting around this track and the other tracks. He’s happy so we’ll see what happens. We’re hopeful, that’s the goal to get him up there racing against the next level (in races like the Canadian Pacing Derby over the next couple of years.)”