Armycaptin Hanover marches to Open score

Armycaptin Hanover bagged a second straight harness racing victory on Tuesday as he found late pace and blew past foes on the inside to win the Open Pace at Century Downs.

Driver, trainer, and co-owner Kelly Hoerdt shifted the gelding to the inside shortly after the race commenced and acquired the pocket spot as he hung out Freedoms Fellow (Tyler Redwood). Hoerdt put the son of Captaintreacherous on cruise control until the final panel as they remained second through the first quarter mile in :26.4, half in :56.2, and three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Armycaptin Hanover was locked in the pocket turning for home and looked for a seam up the pylons as a wall of horses moved up on the outside. Leader Tiempo Hanover (Brandon Campbell) drifted out in mid-stretch which allowed Armycaptin Hanover to unleash his late surge and out-finish his rivals to win by a neck in 1:54.4.

Tiempo Hanover battled on and held place; Dontpokethedragon (Michael Hennessy), the winner of the first division of the prior week’s Ed Tracy Memorial finished third. The winner paid $6.40.

ARMYCAPTIN HANOVER REPLAY

Armycaptin Hanover has now won 15 of 58 career starts and has made just less than $85,000 in earnings. Blair Corbeil of Beamont co-owns with Hoerdt.

Also on the card, Blue Who, a three-year-old Alberta-bred intact son of Blue Burner broke his maiden in his third lifetime start for owner, trainer, and driver Keith Clark of Foothills. The horse’s victory was timed in 1:57.2.

Stretch Bandit (Hoerdt), another Alberta-sired sophomore colt, secured his first victory in 2:00. The son of Magician is now one-for-nine lifetime for trainer Brent Bodor, who bought him from the 2019 ASHA Yearling Sale for $10,700 in partnership with Sandor Jaszai.

Carro B Bunsen, another three-year-old Blue Burner colt, took a first career win after 12 attempts. He won the sixth race by 11 and a quarter lengths in 1:57.1. Philip Giesbrecht drove for trainer Rodney Starkewski of Lamont who co-owns with Keith Boras of Red Deer.

Campbell and Hoerdt both doubled on the day. Hoerdt and Redwood are now tied for the lead in the drivers’ standings with nine wins apiece.

Century Downs will be back on Sunday, Jun. 13 at 2:15 p.m. MDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink