New mark for aged geldings set at Rockingham
July 8, 2006,by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park
SALEM, NH — Basil Hanover not only won the featured $12,000 Invitational Pace at Rockingham Park on Saturday, he did it in track record time for his age, sex, and gait.
The five-year-old son of Arturo, who was driven by David Ingraham and trained by Michael Burke, covered the mile on a fast track in 1:50 to set the new mark for aged geldings. He took two ticks off the old record of 1:50.2 set by Glen Mark Lucky here two years ago on July 10, 2004.
Sent off as the favorite in the field of six pacers, Basil Hanover returned $2.80 for a $2 wager and gave Ingraham his third winner of the day.
Basil Hanover is owned by George Leon of Pittsburgh, Pa. and he was making his first start at Rockingham after racing throughout the spring and summer at The Meadowlands and the Meadows.
The world pacing record for 15/16ths of a mile on a one-mile track was set last Saturday at Rockingham by Our Falcon N, and the world trotting record for the same distance will be established on Sunday at the track. As there is no existing trotting record for 15/16ths of a mile on a one-mile track, the winner of the featured $12,000 Trot will become a world record holder.
Post time for Sunday’s 10-race card is 1:05 p.m.