Hanover Raceway plays host to its 12th annual Balanced Image Trot championship this Saturday and the harness racing night will be packed with entertainment.
24 horses will compete for 8 spots in the $61,400 dollar final on Saturday August 27th, meaning the top 2 in each of 3 divisions will advance as well as 2 of the top 3 third place finishers.
This year's field includes a diverse and talented field of both top OSS and local horses.
In Race 3, Mass Production is part owned trained and driven by Rick Zeron of Oakville. This 2 year old Muscle Mass Gelding has already earned over 100,000 dollars and has yet to finish out of the money in 5 starts, including a 1:56.3 mile at Mohawk in his last OSS Gold Elimination. Julie Walker, formerly of Owen Sound part owns and trains Rosberg in the same race. This 2 year old colt has 2 wins in his last 5 starts both of which were in OSS Grassroots eliminations. There are also 2 horses in that race with Hanover connections. Charmbo Chrome is co-owned by Jack and Randy Rier of Hanover, and former Hanover native Mark Etsell has partnered with Bob Newtown of Walkerton and Chuan Tan of Cambridge on Mister Muscle who gets post 8 and will start behind Mass Production on the starting gate.
Race 5 includes Expose Yourself part owned by the Henry stable of Arthur and trained and driven by Wayne Henry, as well as Parkhill Nocredit who is owned and trained by John Bax, and driven by Steve Byron, who have won Hanover's Dream of Glory title multiple times, but have yet to win the Balanced Image.
The 3rd division includes another OSS Gold competitor in Mister Bianco. This Muscle Mass Colt won his only start in 1:57.2 for trainer Bill Budd and owner Brad Gray of Dundas and will be driven by Rick Zeron. The Bax-Byron duo have post 1 with Majestic Wanda who won her OSS grassroots start at Hanover on August 6th, and Wayne Henry co-owns, trains and drives Lady Justice from post 7. One of 3 filly's in that race, this daughter of Justice Hall has some impressive finishes in the OSS Gold this season and will have to use her early gate speed to find a good position early.
Also taking place Saturday night will be a Racing under Saddle race which is always very popular in Hanover, as well as the 42nd annual Walker Memorial Trot. The Walker trot is named after Allan and Viola Walker of Owen Sound, who had success with many great horses in the past, particularly trotters. Allan was inducted into the Hall of Fame and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are keeping up the great Walker tradition in the industry.
Hanover will also host the Deep Run Danny Pace named after a horse owned and trained by Ted and Alma McLean of Goderich, and 7 contestants are still alive in the Survivor contest which was held on August 6th and they will compete for 3 great prizes including a 55 inch Sony TV starting in Race 3.
If that's not enough, the Grey Bruce Paraplegic Association will be on hand conducting a 50-50 draw, which has come close to 700 dollars for the winner in the past.
Post time Saturday night is 7:15pm.
Gord Dougan