Pacino Hanover has his day

Pacino Hanover (American Ideal) scored his first top-level free-for-all harness racing victory as he took the $36,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Jan. 11).

The stallion tracked the pylons fourth for Travis Cullen through :27.2, :55.2, and 1:23.1 fractions, remaining on the inside going into the final turn. Locked in coming down the lane, he made his way to the outside in the final eighth of a mile. He gathered a head of steam and took flight in the final meters, soaring up to nab three opponents on the line for a narrow victory in 1:51. No Control (James MacDonald) was second, beaten a head.  Pacesetter Jack Panic (Jonathan Drury) finished third by a neck.

PACINO HANOVER REPLAY

Pacino Hanover has taken major steps forward in recent months for Team Cullen, rising from the lower conditioned levels in October to Preferred victory on Saturday. Jodie Cullen trains the horse for Paul Sanders of Surrey and Ron and Travis Cullen of Dundas. The five-year-old has 13 career wins and $213,738 in earnings from 54 career starts.

It was one of three wins on the day for Travis and Jodie Cullen. They also took the second with Shoot The Whiskey (Shadow Play, 1:54.2) and Code Cracker (Sweet Lou, 1:52.1). Jodie Cullen has racked up 11 wins so far this year in 36 starts, a win rate of 30.5 per cent.

Racing will resume at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink