by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — After three seconds and a third place finish in his last four starts, Haroun Hanover once again hit paydirt when Jimmy Marohn, Jr. guided the pacer to a 1:56.3 victory at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (May 14).

Geri Schwarz photo

Haroun Hanover won for the 12th time in 2013 on Tuesday at Monticello.

For the 7-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding it marked his 12th seasonal triumph and Haroun Hanover now holds down second place on the North America leaderboard in races won this season.

In a driving finish, Haroun Hanover held off Three Artist (Zeke Parker), who defeated him by a length last week in a 1:56 clocking. Third place went to 99-1 shot Wantasmile, driven by Pat Beeler.

As gritty as any horse can be, Haroun Hanover seemingly doesn’t know the end of a mile, attested to by the many times he has to go around the track again after a race just to slow him down enough to get him back to the paddock.

“He’s always on the muscle but today he was stronger and more focused than he has been lately,” driver Marohn said about Haroun Hanover. “We got looped on the first turn and we were beat to the quarter in :27.2. He wasn’t comfortable following the leader so I let him ramble as we came off the paddock turn and we cleared and were in front before the half.

“From there he just kept grinding and unlike the past few weeks where we got overtaken in the final strides, he held on and turned back all challenges to win in (1):56 and a piece.”

“Today he (Haroun Hanover) was trying the whole way and when he’s in that mode he’s extra tough,” noted trainer Danny Gill.

“I got him late last fall from a trainer at Pocono (Downs) where he wasn’t racing very well. I believe the big (five-eighths-mile) track didn’t suit him for the way he likes to race. He’s great on a half-mile and he proves it week in and week out.

“But you have to understand (that) he’s a handful every time you put a harness on him.”

With Tracys Song’s 15 seasonal wins, Haroun Hanover’s 12 wins and Worthys Magic with 11, it gives the Mighty M the top three race winners currently in North America.