by Ken Weingartner, for Harness Racing Communications
East Rutherford, NJ — Hannelore Hanover posted her sixth consecutive win and 11th in 12 races this year, with a neck victory over Shake It Cerry in Saturday’s (Aug. 6) $188,350 Fresh Yankee for older female trotters at the Meadowlands. Jewels In Hock finished third.
Lisa photo
World champion Hannelore Hanover wins her sixth consecutive race with a neck victory in the Fresh Yankee.
The time for the race, contested at 1-1/8 miles, was 2:05. It equaled the time of last year’s race, won by D’One, also at 1-1/8 miles.
Long shot Meadowbranch Wendy was fast off the gate, but driver Yannick Gingras moved the Ron Burke-trained Hannelore Hanover, the 1-9 favorite, to the lead on the first turn. From there, the 4-year-old mare ticked off fractions of :27, :55.4, 1:23.2 and 1:51 to the mile. The time for the mile equaled Hannelore Hanover’s career best.
“Yeah, you know, you’ve got to give Shake It Cerry credit; she’s a great mare too,” Gingras said. “Jimmy Takter always has them ready on Hambletonian Day. Ronnie certainly had this mare ready as well. She really dug in hard late.”
Hannelore Hanover, a daughter of Swan For All-High Sobriety, is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, the partnership of Mark Weaver and Mike Bruscemi, and Frank Baldachino. She has won 20 of 33 career races and $872,354.