by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Windylane Hanover, trained by Brett Bittle and driven to victory by Mike Simons, established a new Pocono Downs track record on Wednesday night (June 15) in winning the $7,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Her time of 1:55 was the fastest ever for an older trotting mare at the Pennsylvania oval. Previously, Iffrida was the fastest older trotting mare at Pocono Downs, winning in 1:55.3 in August of 2004 with Joe Pavia, Jr. in the sulky.

Windylane Hanover owns the world record for a four-year-old trotting mare on a five-eighths-mile track with a time of 1:53.4 established in November of 2003 at Dover Downs in Delaware with Ron Pierce driving. She also holds the mark for a five-year-old, a 1:53.2 score set in April of 2004, also at Dover with Pierce in the bike.

Leaving from the eight post at Pocono Downs, Windylane Hanover was second on the outside of CR Mr Bean (Steve Salerno) at the opening quarter registered in :27.4.

Shortly thereafter, Windylane Hanover was taken to the front, getting the eight horse field to the half in :57.4 and the three-quarters in 1:26 before winning by 10 and one-half lengths.

“I’ve never driven a million dollar horse before,” said Simons. “She’s a very nice mare. We could have even gone faster in the race. I really appreciated the opportunity to drive such an outstanding trotter.”

This was the second start of the year for Windylane Hanover, leased by Charles Keller III, Charles Keller IV and E. Daniel Bittle of Frederick, Maryland.

Last year, Windylane Hanover, a six-year-old mare by Lindy Lane, out of Willow Run Gracie by Photo Maker, won five of 12 starts with five seconds and more than $317,000 in earnings.

Windylane Hanover has now earned more than $1,044,000 in her brilliant career.