by John Pawlak, marketing director, USTA

East Rutherford, NJ — David Reid, David McDonald, Stan Klemencic, and Dr. Man Son Hing’s Hana Hanover posted an upset victory by out-kicking the 1-5 favorite, Southwind Tempo, and won the $320,000 Mistletoe Shalee Final for 3-year-old filly pacers at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon.

USTA Photo

The connections of Hana Hanover celebrate in the winner’s circle following her victory in the $320,000 Mistletoe Shalee Final.

Driver Tim Tetrick and Southwind Tempo let others scramble for the lead, took the lead on the backstretch — consigning the eventual winner to the garden spot — and the winner, steered by George Brennan, proved best in a race to the wire once she found room and came off the rail.

The fractions seemed to favor the favorite: The quarter was reached in :26 and Southwind Tempo backed the field down a bit at the half-mile pole, reached in :54, and a :28.1 third-quarter got her to the three-quarter pole in 1:22.1.

Southwind Tempo, the top-ranked pacer in the sport coming in, and on the crest of a 10-race win streak, appeared to pace within herself, but when Hana Hanover got out, after the first-over Lady Mattgalane weakened with 3/16th of the mile remaining, it became immediately apparent that Hana Hanover was going to catch the favorite. The time of the mile was 1:49.3, which equaled the stakes record set by Armbro Dancer just last year.

“She got a great trip last week, and got cover,” driver George Brennan said in the winner’s circle. “The key was winning last week. There was no rocket science; I knew I wanted to follow (Southwind Tempo). I saw Timmy (driver Tim Tetrick) get into her (Southwind Tempo) and I was able to slingshot by.”

Southwind Tempo, much to the delight of those who plunged in the show pool, was able to hold on to second, and Tidewaterdragonfly (Ron Pierce) came late and finished third, just ahead of Mind Boggling. The winning margin was 1-1/4 lengths.

Dr. Man Son Hing, speaking for the owners, said the filly, bred by Frank Baldachino, was a bargain: “She was at Harrisburg for $35,000, and we decided she was worth the money. She’s going to get some time off, and point to the Fan Hanover (on August 25 at Mohawk Racetrack).”

The daughter of Western Hanover and the Jenna’s Beach Boy mare Hawaiian Jenna won for the fifth time in six tries at age three, and has now won $206,080 this year and $268,525 in her career.