Sassa Hanover showed her versatility in winning the 45th Jugette in Wednesday action at the the harness racing meeting at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
In the $151,350 second heat, Matt Kakaley sent Sassa Hanover after the lead from the rail position. Southwind Roulette (Corey Callahan) improved from her third starting position to sit behind the leader.
The first elimination winner Bettor N Better (Yannick Gingras) was the first to challenge but could not get past the eventual winner.
Sassa Hanover drew clear of the field and scored a two length victory over Southwind Roulette and Somewhere Sweet (Jim Morrill, Jr.) in 1:51 1/5.
The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven, winner of the 2010 Little Brown Jug, is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Panhellenic Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Lawrence Karr. The win was trainer Ron Burke’s second Jugette crown and Kakaley’s first.
“I was second the past two years, so this feels good,” noted Kakaley.
The two heat time of 3:42 established a new two-heat world record.
In the second elimination, Sassa Hanover came from off the pace and went from last to first to score in a stakes record equaling 1:50 4/5.
Momas Got A Gun (David Miller) was hustled off the gates wings to take early command of the field of six. Kakaley dropped Sassa Hanover to the back of the pack and was content to sit there until midway down the backstretch.
Sassa Hanover swooped past the field and beat Somewhere Sweet by ¾ of a length. Bedroomconfessions (Tim Tetrick) and Serious Filly (Scott Zeron) advanced to the final.
In the first elimination Bettor N Better came from off the pace to score in 1:51 1/5.
David Miller and Triple V Hanover protected his rail position and led the field through the first three-quarters of a mile.
Yannick Gingras eased Bettor N Better off the rail going down the backstretch and drew off by 2 ¼ lengths over the pocket sitting Southwind Roulette (Matt Kakaley) and Moremercy Bluechip (Andy Miller) in 1:51 1/5.
Wicked Little Minx (Brett Miller) also advanced to the final.
Two Divisions of the Buckette Held
Classical Annie and Aaron Merriman took the faster of the two divisions in the $109,200 (div.) Buckette for three-year-old distaff trotters.
The field of six raced in post-position order through the first three-quarters of the mile.
The leader Katniss (Yannick Gingras) made a break in stride and was taken into the safety lane handing the lead over to the pocket sitting Classical Annie.
The daughter of Andover Hall held off a late rally by Smexi (Corey Callahan) by a neck in a lifetime best 1:54 1/5.
Jim Arledge, Jr. conditions the filly for Laura Baker, John Schmucker and Thomas York, Jr.
The second $54,600 division was won by a fast closing Speak To Me (Brett Miller) who swooped past four rivals in the deep stretch to win in 1:55 1/5.
Jimmy Takter trains the Muscle Massive lass, who has earned $324,418, for Brittany Farms.
Tipton Teeez Survives Tough Trip to Win the $44,200 Standardbred (2FP)
Tipton Teeez and Yannick Gingras never saw the rail, but still had enough in the tank to win the Standardbred for freshmen filly pacers.
When the gates wings folded, Montrell Teague hustled Miss Me Yet after the early lead, forcing the eventual winner to race on the outside. As the field of nine rounded the final turn five fillies were within two lengths of the pacesetting Miss Me Yet.
Tipton Teeez gutted out a 3/4 length victory over Rockin Rum Springa (David Miller) and Hug A Dragoness (Matt Kakaley). Miss Me Yet hung on for fourth.
Brian Brown trains the Wester Terror filly for Jennifer Brown and Richard Lombardo.
Beaver Trainees Sweep OBC Two-Year Filly Trot
Trainer Chris Beaver won both divisions of the $98,000 Ohio Breeders Championship.
Kestrel (Aaron Merriman) rebounded from a narrow defeat in the recent Ohio Sires Stake Championship to score a decisive nine length victory over Bellesvictoryring (John Konesky III) in 1:58, shattering the stakes record.
The daughter of Triumphant Caviar is owned by Wilbur Stoll Lang and Beaver.
Beaver was back in the Delaware winner’s circle a few races later with Evanora (Ryan Stahl).
The daughter of Pilgrims Taj scored in 1:58 4/5 over the pacesetting Count On Cami (Kurt Sugg). Evanora is owned by Sandra Burnett.
Neely’s Messenger, David Miller Score in OBC
Neely’s Messenger scored a mild upset over I Know My Chip (Chris Page) in the final strides to win the $75,000 Ohio Breeders Championship for sophomore colt trotters in 1:57.
Miller is the winningest driver in the history of the Delaware County Fair with 206 victories.
Neely’s Messenger is conditioned by Marty Wollam for Dale and Julie Ann Sweet.
Jay Wolf