by Mark McKelvie/Ray Cotolo, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Hannelore Hanover, driven by Yannick Gingras and trained by Ron Burke, successfully defended her title in the C$253,000 Armbro Flight final for trotting mares on Saturday night (June 17) at Mohawk Racetrack, part of the Pepsi North America Cup undercard. The 2016 Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner won last year’s Armbro Flight in similar fashion to this year’s edition: the mare basically front-stepped her way to the winner’s circle.

Hannelore Hanover captures joins Peaceful Way as the only two mares to capture consecutive editions of the Armbro Flight.

Emoticon Hanover showed early speed off the gate to claim the lead followed by Majestic Presence, who got away second. Hannelore Hanover, the heavy 1-5 favorite, was parked out into the first turn and was forced to make a bid for command. After Emoticon Hanover posted a :27 opening panel, Hannelore Hanover, who was second on the outside, cleared to the front. The 5-year-old mare remained the tempo-setter, marching past the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Charmed Life took a shot at the leader while advancing first-over into the final turn, however Hannelore Hanover could not be caught as they entered the stretch. She opened up by 3-1/4 lengths before stopping the clock in 1:51.4. Charmed Life finished second and Emoticon Hanover was third.

“There was a lot of movement behind the gate and a lot of close quarters there for a little bit so I just wanted to make my way to the front as easy as I could and keep her out of trouble,” said Gingras.

There was a delay to the start of the race as Majestic Presence required an equipment adjustment, which the reinsman noted caused Hannelore Hanover to become a little anxious.

“I scored her down a little bit to get her attention before that happened and I got her attention, that’s for sure,” he said. “She was a little bit grabby and wouldn’t quite relax for me after that.”

The daughter of Swan For All and High Sobriety is captured her fourth victory of the season and 29th career triumph. With the win, the brown mare lifts her career earnings to C$1,692,108 for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino, and J And T Silva Stables LLC.

The last time a mare won back-to-back Armbro Flight Finals was in 2005 and 2006 by great Peaceful Way.

Hannelore Hanover paid $2.40 and $2.10, combining with Charmed Life ($2.80) for a $4.70 (4-3) exactor. A 4-3-8 (Emoticon Hanover) triactor was worth $28.10, while a $1 superfecta [4-3-8-5 (Majestic Presence)] returned $306.25. There was no show wagering.

International Moni wins Goodtimes

Lindy Farms’ International Moni captured the winner’s share of the C$251,000 Goodtimes Stakes purse on Saturday evening at Mohawk Racetrack. Driver Scott Zeron was able to engineer a second-over trip for the Frank Antonacci trainee to come through and win in 1:52.4.

USTA/Mark Hall photos

International Moni posts a time of 1:52.4 in his Goodtimes triumph.

Enterprise, the 3-5 favorite, made a second-quarter move to the lead and posted middle-fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.3 to lead into the lane. International Moni, who was racing sixth in the early stages, caught the cover of stablemate Shake It Off Lindy heading around the far turn.

International Moni surged to the lead in the lane and was able to hold off a late-rally from Mass Production, driven by Scott’s father, Rick, to win by lengths.

“I didn’t mind where I got away, my horse is really handy,” said Scott Zeron about getting away sixth. “I was very happy with where I was sitting…and when I angled him over I felt like I was an easy winner and I didn’t even pull the plugs, but good thing I can hear my Dad screaming behind me, so I pulled them and he went on again.”

Seven And Seven came on to finish third, while Enterprise dropped back to finish fourth.

A son of French Stallion Love You and former Horse of the Year Moni Maker, International Moni is now two-for-two this season to bring his career numbers to three wins and over C$330,000 earned for owners Moni Maker Stable.

International Moni paid $7.60 to win.