Hightstown, NJ — Mad Max Hanover, no stranger to success during his stakes-winning career, is back on a roll. The 6-year-old male pacer will bring a three-race win streak to The Meadowlands on Saturday (March 8), when he will meet six rivals in the night’s $25,000 featured pace.
A multiple winner on the Grand Circuit, Mad Max Hanover was limited to eight starts as a 4-year-old in 2023 because of a bone bruise. After not racing for eight months, he returned last season but was hampered by some health issues on his way to six victories in 27 races.
So far this year, the gelding has hit the board in five of six races, highlighted by his three-race win streak. His 1:48.2 triumph in a conditioned race Feb. 22 at The Big M is the season’s fastest mile by more than a second.
Brett Beckwith, who has driven Mad Max Hanover in his two most recent outings, will be back in the sulky for Saturday’s race. Mad Max Hanover will leave from post seven and is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.
“He got down in class a little bit and sometimes that helps,” trainer Jake Leamon said about Mad Max Hanover’s return to winning form. “He got a little bravened up, and he took it from there. He seems to be healthy and sound, and he’s happy about his work. He loves to compete, and Brett has done a great job with him. He really gets along with Max.”
As a 3-year-old, Mad Max Hanover won the Tompkins-Geers Stakes in 1:47.4 at The Meadowlands and was second in the Meadowlands Pace, Tattersalls Pace, and Cane Pace. He finished the season with $528,532 in purses, sixth best among sophomore male pacers in North America. His 1:47.4 mark was second.
For his career, the son of Always B Miki-Mayhem Seelster has won 17 of 72 races and banked $820,473 for owner Marvin Rounick.
“His 5-year-old year was kind of like his 4-year-old year where sometimes it can be tougher against older horses until you get your footing,” Leamon said. “Now, he’s the elder horse. He’s bigger and more solid and he’s learned to carry the weight a little more to transition from being a younger stakes horse.
“He’s got a big set of lungs and never gets tired. He’s always coming. No matter where he finishes, he’s got that desire to get to the wire, and beyond even. He loves to do it.”
Mad Max Hanover is the only horse in action for Leamon at the moment, but the trainer is looking forward to the return of the gelding’s half-brother, 4-year-old male pacer Mirage Hanover. Last season, the son of Bettor’s Delight hit the board in 15 of 20 races, winning six including the Breeders Crown. He finished second in the Little Brown Jug and Cane Pace.
Mirage Hanover, who is less than $50,000 from $1 million in career earnings, is being pointed toward the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers, which begins May 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The second and third rounds are in June at The Meadowlands, which also hosts the final on July 5.
“He’s kind of like Max in that he doesn’t get tired, but he’s got quicker gears,” Leamon said about Mirage Hanover, also owned by Rounick. “He’s staked to everything. He filled out a lot and looks good. He’s eager to get back to work, he’s feeling so good. But I don’t want to get him ready too early, so we’re just kind of biding our time.”
Leamon also is prepping 3-year-old male pacer Seaworthy Hanover, a Kindergarten Classic division winner last season, and 2-year-old male trotter Saint Patrick for their upcoming campaigns. Seaworthy Hanover, a son of Captaintreacherous-Shortstory Hanover is owned by Rounick. Saint Patrick, a son of Credit Winner-Country Chic born on St. Patrick’s Day 2023, is owned by his breeder, Patrick McCann.
“(Seaworthy Hanover) seemed to start coming around at the end of the year,” Leamon said. “He’s grown a bit and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. Saint Patrick is a sporty little guy. He’s quick, which is good because he’ll need that in New York with the half-mile racetracks.
“I love young horses, just watching them grow up. They come in and they don’t know what they’re doing yet, and they grow on you and get to be little characters. It’s kind of fun to watch them grow up. It’s just like having kids.”
Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EST) at The Meadowlands. For free Big M programs, visit the track’s website here.