by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

East Rutherford, NJ — Lucan Hanover followed the outside tier and exploded mid-stretch to post his fourth straight victory in the $250,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic on Saturday (Aug. 3) at the Meadowlands.

Lucan Hanover, a son of Western Ideal, finished 2-1/4 lengths ahead of Emeritus Maximus (by Rocknroll Hanover) with 3-1/2 lengths to Rockin Amadeus (Rocknroll Hanover) in third.

David Miller was at the lines behind Lucan Hanover who paced the mile in a career best of 1:48.3. Miller also won the New Jersey Classic in 2004 with Modern Art.

The New Jersey Classic is restricted to New Jersey-sired 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings and is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

“We gelded him after his 2-year-old season and probably should have done it sooner, it cost him his 2-year-old season, but he was such a nice colt,” said winning trainer Casie Coleman.

Purchased for $47,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, Lucan Hanover races for West Wins Stable (Casie Coleman and Ross Warriner) of Cambridge, Ontario and Christine Calhoun of Chatham, Ontario. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Lucan Hanover swept the Summertime Series at Mohawk leading up to the New Jersey Classic. He won the final on Monday (July 29), making for a quick turnaround to the Classic.