Captain Luke, Ken Hanover capture McKee splits

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With Dexter Dunn in the driver’s seat, Captain Luke (Captaintreacherous) parlayed a two-hole trip into a 1:47.3 harness racing victory in the $131,650 first division of the Grade 2 Sam McKee Memorial on a picture-perfect Saturday (Aug. 2) afternoon at the Meadowlands. The $130,400 second split went to the David Miller-driven Ken Hanover in (Captaintreacherous) 1:49.

Leaving from post six in the first division of the race named for the Meadowlands announcer who died in 2017, Dunn moved Captain Luke forward quickly off the gate, sliding into second behind the Jason Bartlett-driven Coaches Corner, who started from post one. As Coaches Corner rattled off fractions of :27, :54 and 1:21, Dunn remained patiently behind with Captain Luke.

Approaching three-quarters, Andy McCarthy had 4-5 betting favorite Maximus Miki on the move first-over after sitting third, with the Yannick Gingras-driven Bythemissal poised second-over. As Maximus Miki stalled down the lane, Bythemissal moved wide to take aim at the leaders.

In deep stretch, Dunn angled Captain Luke off the pylons, and the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous — sent off as the fourth choice at 5-1 — surged past Coach’s Corner to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Muskateer Hanover rallied for third for David Miller while Bythemissal settled for fourth.

CAPTAIN LUKE REPLAY

 

“We got a good trip today; he swelled up coming off the last turn,” said Dunn in the winner’s circle. “Once he got clear, he got going.”

The mile was a career best for the Vieux Carré Farms-bred Captain Luke, who was purchased at last November’s Standardbred Horse Sales Company Mixed Sale for $400,000 by trainer Andrew Harris in partnership with William Pollock and Bruce Areman. It was the second win in eight starts this year for Captain Luke, with the $63,193 winner’s check bringing his career earnings to $837,388.

“Dex gave him a perfect trip and I can’t thank him enough,” said Harris. “(Captain Luke’s) been super sharp; last week he had a tough trip.”

Ken Hanover, who saw a five-race win streak snapped last time out in the William Haughton Memorial, rebounded with a come-from-behind effort in the second McKee division.

Miller got away fourth with 2-1 betting favorite Ken Hanover and remained in that position as the Bartlett-driven Huntinthelastdolar and the Todd McCarthy-directed Captain Albano traded the lead through first-half fractions of :27.1 and :55.1. As the field passed three-quarters in 1:22.1, Dunn had Sabonis charging first-over, with Miller and Ken Hanover tucked behind second-over.

Midway down the stretch, Miller tipped Ken Hanover wide, and the 5-year-old son of Captaintreacherous easily surged to the victory. Splitting horses late, Huntinthelastdolar was 1-1/2 lengths behind in second, with Sabonis settling for third.

KEN HANOVER REPLAY

 

Ken Hanover’s five prior wins this year came at five different racetracks, with his Saturday score being his second at the Meadowlands. That first Big M win came in a division of the Dave Brower Memorial on June 28.

“He’s been winning and he knows it,” said trainer Roland Mallar, who shares ownership of the Hanover Shoe Farms-bred horse with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt.

Now with six wins and a third-place finish in eight starts this year, Saturday’s $63,244 winner’s check brings Ken Hanover’s career bankroll to $933,075.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by James Witherite, for The Meadowlands