Milton, ON — Dave Menary trainee Its A Love Thing sustained through a first-over push and forged forward in the homestretch charge to win the C$425,000 Fan Hanover, for 3-year-old pacing fillies, on Saturday (June 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park and tied the stakes, track and Canadian record with a 1:48.2 mile.

Its A Love Thing landed in fifth from the pylon post through a :26.3 first quarter as even-money favorite Geocentric powered forward to take command from My Girl EJ. Geocentric coasted up the backside to a :54.4 half while James MacDonald was forced to send Its A Love Thing uncovered on the rim to the final turn.

Despite getting caught first-over, Its A Love Thing persisted against Geocentric to three-quarters in 1:22 and thrusted to the lead when the favorite came up empty for home. Caviart Belle tipped to the center of the track off her second-over tow and aimed at Its A Love Thing late in futile chase as the latter muscled by the beam a length in front. My Girl EJ kicked into action late for third and Canigetalouploup rallied through a seam at the pylons for fourth.

Its A Love Thing used a :26.2 sprint home to win the Fan Hanover in 1:48.2, equaling the stakes, track and Canadian record in the act. New Image Media.

“Obviously [the trip] wasn’t how we drew it up, but it’s a horse race, and you just have to wait and see how things go,” James MacDonald said after the race. “I’m just lucky that Dave [Menary] and his crew had her amazing tonight. She was able to overcome a bad trip and showed what kind of a horse she is.”

“I was just hoping she didn’t get away too far back,” Menary said after the race. “She’s a big filly to try and push through from the rail, and I figured there would be outside leavers. So I just left it up to James – as long as she doesn’t get pinned. She did all the work tonight and went right on by.”

A daughter of Bettor’s Delight, Its A Love Thing won her third race from five starts this season and her ninth from 17 overall for owners Eric Good, Thomas Biederman, Josh Green and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC. Off the third choice in the betting, she paid $10.00 to win.

The 1:48.2 mile paced by Its A Love Thing equaled the stakes, track and Canadian record established by American Jewel in 2012 and matched by Sylvia Hanover last year.