by Mark McKelvie, for WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — Hannelore Hanover got her Maple Leaf Trot redemption with an impressive 1:51.1 victory in Saturday’s (Sept. 16) C$594,000 event at Mohawk Racetrack.
The 5-year-old trotting mare and driver Yannick Gingras seized the lead heading to the half and proceeded to trot away to a 4-1/2 length victory for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and J And T Silva Stables LLC.
“When she’s like this, in North America anyway, I’ll take on any trotter,” said Gingras following Hannelore Hanover’s sensational performance.
JL Cruze shot out to the grab the early lead and posted a snappy opening-quarter of :26.2. Hannelore Hanover settled into third in the early going, while Gingras waited to make his move.
Hannelore Hanover came with a second-quarter rush and secured the lead in time to post a half of :54.3. Odds On Amethyst came first up in the third-quarter and got up to the wheel of the leader, but Gingras got a comfortable third-quarter of :28.4 to lead at that station in 1:23.3.
In the stretch, Hannelore Hanover waved goodbye to her rivals and trotted home strongly in :27.4 for her biggest victory to date. JL Cruze finished second, while Pasithea Face, the other mare in the field, was third. The Superfecta was completed by Warrawee Roo.
“When she’s like this you can race her any which you want,” said Gingras about moving Hannelore Hanover to the lead. “They told me how good she trained and the great week she had and they sure were right.”
The victory is extra special for Hannelore Hanover’s connections after coming up just short in last year’s event.
“Last year she raced her heart out and was second to Resolve in a great race,” said co-owner Baldachino. “For her to comeback a year later and actually win it, it’s real sweet and very special.”
A daughter of Swan For All, Hannelore Hanover is now six for 10 this season with C$634,986 earned. The talented trotting mare surpassed C$2 million in career earnings with her 32nd career win Saturday.
Hannelore Hanover’s Maple Leaf Trot victory is the first win in the event for driver Gingras and trainer Burke.
Hannelore Hanover returned $3, $2.60, $2.30. The $2 Exacta with JL Cruze ($7.50, $3.90) paid $15.70, while the $1 Trifecta with Pasithea Face ($3.40) returned $30.15. The $1 superfecta with Warrawee Roo in the fourth-slot paid $228.10.
- Ariana G sets stakes, track and Canadian record in Elegantimage (Sunday, September 17, 2017)
Ariana G lowered the stakes, track and Canadian record with a flashy 1:51.4 score in the C$385,000 Elegantimage final for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday evening (Sept. 16) at Mohawk, part of the Canadian Trotting Classic and Maple Leaf Trot undercard.
- Redemption for What The Hill in Canadian Trotting Classic (Sunday, September 17, 2017)
What The Hill, who was disqualified after winning this year’s Hambletonian for interference, converted off of a similar pocket trip to find redemption with a 1:51.4 stakes record victory in the C$684,000 Canadian Trotting Classic final for 3-year-old trotters on Saturday evening (Sept. 16) at Mohawk Racetrack.
- Blue Moon Stride posts stakes record victory in Milton (Sunday, September 17, 2017)
Blue Moon Stride converted off a perfect second-over trip to win Saturday’s (Sept. 16) C$256,000 Milton Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack in a stakes record 1:48.4. The Mark Harder trained 4-year-old pacing mare and driver David Miller followed up their 7-1 upset victory in last week’s elimination with a mild 6-1 upset in Saturday’s final.
- Stay Hungry quickest in Metro eliminations (Sunday, September 17, 2017)
Stay Hungry, Pedro Hanover and Twin B Tuffenuff win their C$40,000 divisions of the Metro Pace on Saturday (Sept. 16) at Mohawk Racetrack.