O’Brien winner, NA Cup contender flies in 1:48.3

Legendary Hanover (Huntsville), one of the leading contenders for the North America Cup, lowered his lifetime mark to 1:48.3 in a dominant harness racing victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (May 18).

The sophomore, Canada’s 2023 Two-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year, brushed from third to the lead coming onto the backside under orders from James MacDonald. Legendary Hanover grabbed a couple of lengths on the final turn and stormed down the stretch to prevail by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:48.3. Southwind Sambucca (Trevor Henry) proved second-best with Reign Supreme (Tyler Borth) third.

LEGENDARY HANOVER REPLAY

Legendary Hanover went undefeated through his first six starts last year at two, winning the Dream Maker, Nassagaweya, and Champlain. He finished second in the Metro and made the Breeders Crown final en route to divisional honours. He has won back-to-back races to begin his three-year-old campaign, expanding his lifetime earnings to $428,100. Tony Beaton trains the colt, now an eight-time winner in 11 appearances, for Eric Good of Davidsonville, West Wins Stable of Wellington, and Mark Dumain of Pine Bush.

His mile time stood as the fastest of the season in North America for several minutes before Oakwood Ardan IR paced in 1:48 at The Meadowlands.

Captains Quarters (Captaintreacherous), whom Legendary Hanover beat by one vote for the O’Brien Award, started his sophomore season on the card with a big win.

Jody Jamieson pulled him from fourth after the quarter and had him on top before the half, going three-wide around Bob Loblaw (Sylvain Filion) to do so. The colt pulled away by four lengths by the top of the lane and opened up several more before winding down and coasting to a three-and-three-quarter-length score in 1:50.1. Kaptain Karlos (MacDonald) extended his streak of place finishes to five in a strong effort. Call Me It (Henry) completed the ticket.

CAPTAINS QUARTERS REPLAY

Captains Quarters, the 2023 Metro Pace winner, is now three-for-six lifetime with $536,404 in earnings. Herb Holland conditions the sophomore, another North America Cup hopeful, for Rich Stiles of Chelsea.

The performances of Legendary Hanover and Captains Quarters, the second and fourth choices in the NA Cup Spring Book, respectively, came hours after favourite Captain Albano won his 2024 debut at Pocono Downs.

Saturday was Fireworks and Family Fun Night at Mohawk Park. The track was packed for the annual event highlighted by the pyrotechnic display after the last race.

Racing continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, May 20 at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink