Former Maritimer dominates Ontario debut

Batterup Hanover (Betting Line) crushed his harness racing rivals at Flamboro Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 13) in his first start in Ontario after shipping in from the East Coast.

Jason Ryan stepped on the gas going into the first turn to secure the lead with the gelding from the pylons. The pair put up :27.1, :56.3, and 1:24.4 fractions on the engine, and Batterup Hanover rocketed away on the final turn, increasing his margin to 12 lengths by the time he crossed the line to win in 1:53.  Reign Supreme (Scott Young) was second, followed by Jj Xavier (Samuel Fillion).

BATTERUP HANOVER REPLAY

Batterup Hanover, winner of last year’s Rod Goguen Memorial, has been one of the top open pacers in the Maritimes since moving there as a three-year-old in 2021. The gelding, owned by Debbie Francis, Rosanne Langille, Doug Lowthers, and Chantel Langille, came to Ontario and trainer Ben Hollingsworth after a show finish at Summerside on Oct. 22. The six-year-old has won 23 times and has earned $94,946 in 80 lifetime starts.

Another East Coaster saw success on the card as Kurt Harper took his first win as a trainer in more than three years. His colt, My Ding A Ling (Betterthancheddar, Travis Henry), went the long way, pushing first-over from the half, taking the lead at the top of the stretch, and holding on by a head for a 5-1 upset.

MY DING A LING REPLAY

Harper, who made his training debut in 1993, raced on the East Coast for much of his career before a brief stint in Ontario in 2020. He had no training starts from October 2021 until returning with a three-horse band earlier this month. Harper is one-for-one as a driver this year after steering My Ding A Ling to victory at Truro in October. The colt, now with five wins on the season, came to the province at the start of November.

Racing will continue at Flamboro Downs on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:35 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink