Allywag Hanover beats Bulldog; sets world record

LEXINGTON, KY— Pacing powerhouse Bulldog Hanover tried his hand at beating the record he set just a few months ago, but had glory pried from his hands when Allywag Hanover (Captaintreacherous) lunged to the lead and stopped the clock in 1:46 to win the $153,000 Allerage Farms Open Pace on Sunday (Oct. 9) at The Red Mile.

Driver Dexter Dunn laid the foundation for Bulldog Hanover’s mark in history with a clip of :26.2, :52.2 and 1:19.1 while unopposed on the lead. Todd McCarthy meanwhile kept Allywag Hanover ready in second and launched his attack on the turn for home. Bulldog Hanover fought for his life with an eighth to go as Allywag Hanover unrelentingly kept pushing forward in the climb to the finish.

“He felt good,” Todd McCarthy said after the race. “He swelled right up; felt like he had a lot of go. But I didn’t want to count my cards too early until I pulled. Bulldog never wants to let anyone pass him.”

The pressure eventually mounted, and world champ Bulldog Hanover conceded the fight to Allywag Hanover as the 5-year-old gelding snagged the 1:46 mark to match Always B Miki’s track record, set in 2016, while also lowering the world record for aged pacing geldings set back in 2006 by Holborn Hanover.

“I feel like I’m Marylou Whitney after the ’04 Belmont and having to apologize to the crowd,” said Adam Bowden, co-owner of Allywag Hanover, after the race. “We were told he was coming in ready to do this and it was pretty exciting. It set up perfectly for him. Todd, a masterful drive; Brett [Pelling], a masterful training job.”

ALLYWAG HANOVER REPLAY

“He’s had two races – at Hoosier and Dayton – where [he was] locked in for his life and loaded,” trainer Brett Pelling also said. “If ever a horse is sitting on one, it’s after those trips. We know he can follow any speed and he was just sensational today.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile