Plainville, MA — After coming off starts in the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park and the Vincennes at the Meadowlands where he finished third in a 1:49.4 harness racing mile, Delayed Hanover (Southwind Frank-Don’t Wait Up) returned to overnight action in the $25,000 Open Handicap trot at The Ridge and notched his second win of the year.
Mark Whitcroft and Delayed Hanover got away third to Big Al M (Matty Athearn) who got to the quarter in :27.4. But at that station, Whitcroft was out and rolling with Delayed Hanover, who took control of the race in front of the stands. Delayed Hanover made the turn and trotted up the backside to three-quarters in 1:24.1 as the tripping Big Al M made a move to the outside and got within a length of the leader in the far turn.
However, that would be as close as he would get because when they hit the stretch, Delayed Hanover was gone as he trotted away to a 3-¾ length win in 1:53.1.
It was the 17th career win for Delayed Hanover ($3.00) who pushed his lifetime earnings to $682,917. The 6-year-old is owned by Reid Wissner and trained by Kevin Mc Dermott.
DELAYED HANOVER REPLAY
There was a special $20,000 conditioned race for older Massachusetts-bred trotters And Raybarnz (Crazed) with driver Ivan Davies scored his first win of the year. After going to the front, Raybarnz flashed fractions of :27.3, :58 and 1:26 while opening up a three-length lead at that last station. Raybarnz turned for home and held off the pocket-sitting Poppy Wow (Jimmy Hardy) to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:54.4.
Raybarnz ($7.80) is owned by Shirley Michaud and trained by his driver, Davies.
RAYBARNZ REPLAY
Kevin Switzer Jr. had a driving hat trick on Thursday while trainer Rob Harmon sent two from his stable to the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug 12) with post time at 4 p.m. and the card will feature a $1,311 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts