Ervin Hanover back with a bang

Ervin Hanover (Captaintreacherous) returned from a four-week break to win his fourth straight harness racing contest in the $36,000 Preferred at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Dec. 14).

In his first start since taking a 1:47.3 lifetime mark, the stallion trekked to the lead and seized command as he hit the quarter in :28.3. He ruled the roost through the middle half, rated to fractions of :57.4 and 1:25.4 by Louis-Philippe Roy.

Powertrain (James MacDonald) came off the cones on the final turn and put the leader to a drive, but Ervin Hanover brushed him aside and steamed clear to win by three-and-a-half lengths in 1:51.

Powertrain was second, followed by Poseidon Seelster (Bob McClure).

ERVIN HANOVER REPLAY

Ervin Hanover arrived at Mohawk from Pocono in October, switching to the Dave Menary barn. He has won four consecutive races, stepping up to the Preferred level after an upper-level conditioned victory on Nov. 2. The four-year-old reached a half-million in career earnings with Saturday’s score, his 16th lifetime in 58 outings. Pollack Racing owns the stallion.

The card also featured a pair of Valedictory Series second-leg divisions for sophomore pacing colts and geldings. Brudon (Mcwicked, MacDonald) avenged his narrow first round defeat in the first split, holding on this time to wire the field in 1:53. A Class Yankee (Mike Whelan) closed for second, nabbing Fast Louie (Roy) on the line.

BRUDON REPLAY

Brudon, the Harvest Series champion, is now five-for-32 lifetime with $70,587 in bankroll. Carmen Auciello trains the gelding for Frank Lamacchia, Tony Miceli, and Deanmar Sons Stable.

Wallace Hartley (Lazarus N) reached up late to grab the second division. The colt, second at the top of the lane after brushing on the backstretch, chased down leg one winner Southwind Infusion (Jody Jamieson) to prevail by a head in 1:52.3. Gandalf The Bay (Trevor Henry) was third.

WALLACE HARTLEY REPLAY

It was Wallace Hartley’s first win since October. The Chantal Mitchell-trained colt has tallied four victories in 24 starts and has earned $67,890 for owner Dale Towle since making his debut in May.

The final of the Valedictory Series is set for Dec. 26.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume racing on Monday, Dec. 16 with an 11-race card featuring a Preferred Trot.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink