Unbeaten colt lives up to billing in Nassagaweya

Legendary Hanover (Hunstville) continued to exemplify his name as he roared past harness racing opponents down the stretch to remain undefeated in the $93,700 Nassagaweya first division on Saturday (Aug. 26) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The 1/9 choice sat fifth through the opening quarter of :26.2 for James MacDonald and was gifted second-over cover by Captain Luke (Dexter Dunn) as they passed the midway point in :57.2.

The outside line flowed forwards as the field raced to three-quarters in 1:25.2.  Legendary Hanover pulled to the outside at the top of the stretch and mowed down his cover and pacesetter Calicojack Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) in the sprint for home to score in 1:52.1.

Calicojack Hanover was beaten a half-length. Remember The Alamo (Doug McNair) came on for third.

LEGENDARY HANOVER REPLAY

Legendary Hanover is perfect through four in his career. He now has two stakes wins after taking the Dream Maker final on Aug. 12 and has earned $107,100. Tony Beaton conditions the freshman, who sold for $260,000 at Lexington, for West Wins Stables of Wellington, Eric Good of Davidsonville, and Mark Dumain of Pine Bush.

Ontario Sires Stakes contender Funtime Bayama (Hes Watching) captured the second of three $93,700 divisions.

With Filion in the bike, Funtime Bayama rocketed to the front from post nine, overpowering Do Better (Bob McClure) to take the lead at the quarter in :27. She cut a half of :56.1 and raced to three-quarters in 1:24.1 with Why Wouldnt Ya (MacDonald) on the march first-over.

Funtime Bayama powered off the final turn and carved out a multiple-length cushion. She then motored home several lengths the best to score in 1:50.3. Do Better took the place spot, and Captains Quarters (Jody Jamieson) took third.

FUNTIME BAYAMA REPLAY

Funtime Bayama is now two-for-four with $111,480. She broke her maiden last week in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold romp and placed in her two prior efforts, a Gold and a Grassroots race. She debuted in July with Yves Filion at the lines before he passed the torch to his son, Sylvain. Richard Moreau trains the gelding who was bred and is owned by Bayama Farms of Saint-Andre-D’Argenteuil.

Another top OSS colt, Mirage Hanover (Bettors Delight), took the $92,700 final split.

Bob McClure brought him to the front the long way, sitting parked out through the first turn and quarter in :26 to take the top spot. Mirage Hanover completed the first half in :54.2 and moved through three-quarters in 1:23 with longshot Miki Ray (Dunn) in his rear-view mirror.

The persistent Miki Ray kept pocket-sitter Total Stranger (Yannick Gingras) boxed in until deep-stretch, when it was too late. Mirage Hanover sustained his fight long enough to reach home a winner in 1:51.1. Total Stranger’s late rush could only get him second. Always A Thrill (MacDonald) also closed at the pylons and finished third.

Mirage Hanover’s win was his third in his rookie season, adding an unrestricted stakes win on top of his two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold victories. His record is now three-for-six with $155,460 in earnings. Scott McEneny has trained him from his second start for Marvin Rouneck of Narberth.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink