DOVER, Del.— Easy Lover Hanover completed a modern day harness racing 'Cinderella story' by winning the $314,600 Hap Hansen Progress Pace in 1:49 at Dover Downs on Monday, Nov. 28
Purchased a year ago after a monumental fire whipped-out owner Brad Grant and trainer Ben Wallace's stable in Ontario, Easy Lover Hanover was purchased at the Meadowlands Sale early this year for $70,000 and it turned into a 15-race winner of more than $300,000, with a personal record 1:49 performance in the final major stake of 2016.
Youthful driver Doug McNair made good use of starting from post 1 by trailing race-favorite Check Six (Yannick Gingras) through fast early fractions before finding room along the passing lane to finally pass the leader late in the stretch for the victory.
Owner Brad Grant and trainer Ben Wallace were elated in the winner's circle. "He was a great horse to buy," said Wallace. "He won the first five races we had. While giving the horse some time off, we gelded him, which we had planned when we got him. After wins at Mohawk and Woodbine, we decided to put up $25,000 to supplement him to this race." Wallace continued, {Doug McNair had driven him all season for us and he did another good job tonight."
Easy Lover Hanover, a son of Somebeachsomewhere– Easy GoGo, completed his sophomore season with 15 wins 4 seconds and 2 thirds. He nearly equaled his seasonal earnings with the Han Hansen Progress Pace earning lifting the total to $314,124.
Allan Davis, Vic Kirby and Tim Tetrick had two winners each.
PURRFECT BAGS SEEKS AVENGENCE IN $20,000 MARES OPEN
Purrfect Bags, Delaware’s own Cinderella Story female pacer seeks to avenge her odds-on losing appearance in her last start in the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open pace on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Dover Downs.
A $2,000 weanling purchase that became a Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) and stakes winning juvenile, was the overwhelming public choice last time out but after taking the early lead, the now four-year-old owned by JoAnn Looney-King faltered on the final turn and finished fourth the $20,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap pace. Her regular driver meet leader Vic Kirby will be in the bike for trainer Jim King seeking to rebound.
Last Tuesday, Legacy Racing’s Empress Deo and Allan Davis scored a wire-to-wire 1:52.3 victory in this event. Elliesjet N, driven by Jonathan Roberts, was second from start to finish for Barry Spedden, Ken Evans, Nanticoke Racing and trainer Josh Parker, her second straight runner-up performance. JFE Enterprise’s Scandalicious with Tim Tetrick starts from the outside post 8. Howard Taylor’s strong contender Shine N Shimmer drew post 1 with George Dennis driving for trainer Doug Lewis. Alongside is the only three-year-old in the lineup George Teague and Teague Racing Partnership’s stakes-seasoned Miss Me Yet handled by Montrell Teague. Rounding out the eight-female field are Chris White owned and trained competitor Fashion Showdown reined by Corey Callahan and the game veteran Matinee Dragon with Pat Berry driving for Lou Catana and co-owner trainer Vince Bradley.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are ‘dark days’ at the track. Fine food is available while watching the races at the acclaimed Winner's Circle Restaurant Buffet. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad