from Meadowlands Media Relations

Ron Pierce piloted the winners of both $19,000 divisions of the opening round of the Fox Sports Net Series on Thursday night at the Meadowlands.

He scored with Real Hanover in the fifth race and South Park Hanover in the eighth race.

Lisa Photo

Real Hanover rallied for a half-length victory over Secret Weapon in the first division of the Fox Sports Net Series.

Using an explosive final eighth of a mile, Real Hanover [$12.60, $6.20, $2.20] rallied for a half-length victory over Secret Weapon [$5.80, $2.20].

Apache Hotspur [$2.10] the 2-5 favorite with entrymate Incredible Art, was third by three and a half lengths.

Real Hanover, seemingly buried at the back of the pack, started to gain ground as the field straightened out at the top of the stretch. Pierce swung the four-year-old Western Hanover gelding four-wide as they picked off the competition and fired with a 26.3 last quarter for a lifetime best of 1:51.1. for the mile.

James Snyder of Wooster, Ohio owns the Rodney Bolon-trainee. It was Real Hanover’s first win in 12 starts in 2006. He also has three seconds and three thirds to his credit this year.

Pierce was back in the winner’s circle with South Park Hanover [$9.80, $5.80, $3.40] thanks to a perfect second-over trip. He coaxed the four-year-old son of Artsplace to a head victory over Ideally Magic [$4.60, $3.40]. Austin’s Best [$3.60] was third by a length and a quarter.

South Park Hanover, trained by Charles Connor Jr., paced the mile in 1:51.3, picking up his second win in three starts this year.

Connor shares ownership in the pacer with Ted Gewertz of New York City and Milton and Martha Frank of Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

The three-week Fox Sports Net Series continues next week with a $43,315 final on April 20.