The connections of Maxim Hanover hoped to see their 2-year-old male pacer develop as this season progressed, and after watching the colt win four of his past five races, it looks as though the plan is coming to fruition. Maxim Hanover, who had three second-place finishes among six winless starts to begin his career, captured the Matron Stakes on Nov. 2 and heads to Saturday’s $454,000 Governor’s Cup final for freshman male pacers at The Meadowlands off a lifetime-best-equaling 1:52 victory in one of last week’s two eliminations.
Pair of pacing Opens at Cal Expo Friday
An $8,000 Open Pace featuring A Major Omen and a $7,500 Filly and Mare Open Pace headed by stablemates Lucky Lil Lady and Prom Queen get the marquee treatment Friday night (Nov. 24) at Cal Expo.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Nov. 25
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (Nov. 25).
Halekai III wins $25,000 Autumn Leaves final at MGM Northfield Park
Halekai III got the perfect trip in Wednesday’s (Nov. 22) $25,000 Autumn Leaves series final at MGM Northfield Park, upsetting race-favorite Contechsfashion.
Merriman ties Herve Filion for third in all-time wins
Aaron Merriman had a pre-Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at MGM Northfield Park, earning his 15,183rd victory late in the program to tie for third in all-time North American wins with Herve Filion.
Saratoga Hall of Fame to auction memorabilia
The Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame is hosting an auction sale by County Line Auctions on Saturday (Dec. 9) featuring memorabilia from the former Hall of Fame location at the Saratoga Springs oval.
Louie The Lilac doubles up in Batavia feature
After a convincing victory off class relief last week, Louie The Lilac moved back to the feature race and won again in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 22).
Why Not Now sustains first-over strike in Progress
Why Not Now sustained a first-over push through the final half of a 1:48.2 mile to reel in El Rey and evade Moment Is Here in winning the $260,000 Progress Pace, for 3-year-old colts and geldings, on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at Bally’s Dover.
Curtsyforpurrseco completes DSBF sweep
Jo Ann Looney-King’s Curtsyforpurrseco completed a clean sweep of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Bally’s Dover with a dominant 1:56.1 score in the $110,000 Ramona Hubbard, conducted Wednesday evening (Nov. 22).
PHHA donates to Tioga relief
The Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association has donated $7,500 to the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association to aid the victims of the devastating fire at Tioga Downs on Nov. 9.