Harris steals spotlight on Hanover opening day

Harness racing driver J. Bradley Harris made the winner’s circle his on opening day at Hanover Raceway on Saturday (Jun. 1) with five victories in eight starts on the 10-race card.

He immediately took the lead in the drivers’ standings as he piloted Century Havana (Control The Moment) to a first-up 1:59.2 win in the first. It was the mare’s first victory in 20 tries this season.

Harris didn’t win again until the sixth, when he steered Moonwalker (All Bets Off). He sent the gelding three-wide nearing the third station, and Moonwalker swooped to the front for a one-length win in 1:58.4. Moonwalker had also not previously won in 2024 but was coming off three place finishes in a row.

Then the reinsman produced a natural hat trick in the final three races. His victories came with Rose Run Vortex (American Ideal, 1:59.4), Delightful Magic (Bettors Delight, 1:59), and Rambaran Rose (Rambaran, 1:59.3).

Harris has already exceeded his 2023 win total at Hanover, which was three. He earned cheques in all eight calls on the afternoon.

Moonwalker and Jimmy Whispers (Big Jim, Jason Ryan, 1:58.3) won the day’s Propsect Series divisions of leg 1B for three-year-old colt pacers.

Hanover Raceway will race every Saturday until Sep. 14.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink