by Dean A. Hoffman

Lexington, KY — Holborn Hanover rocketed to the lead at the half and went on to an easy win in the $189,000 Western Ideal for older pacing males on Saturday (Oct. 7). It was the final race of The Red Mile’s fall Grand Circuit meet.

Mark Hall photo

Holborn Hanover was an easy winner for George Brennan.

Holborn Hanover drew away from the field with ease and when he crossed the wire, the crowd roared as the timer flashed 1:45, shattering his own race record of 1:46.4 set two months ago at the Meadowlands. The fractional times were :24.3, :52.3, and 1:19.1. The judges, however, immediately announced an inquiry into the fractions and final time.

After timing the race on replay, the judges adjusted the winning time to 1:49.3, more than four seconds slower than the time which flashed at the finish.

Hop Sing and driver Mike Lachance grabbed the lead out of the gate from post seven, then slowed the tempo on the backstretch. That was when driver George Brennan tipped Holborn Hanover off the rail and went after the lead.

He quickly overtook Hop Sing and then began to increase his margin around the far turn and into the stretch. The 5-year-old gelded son of Cam’s Card Shark hit the wire open lengths ahead of his pursuers as Ponder came on to finish second and Maltese Artist was third.

Holborn Hanover is owned by John D. Fielding and the Canamerica Capital Corporation of Ontario. He paid $3.00, $2.10, and $2.40.