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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Elista Hanover (International Moni) plastered a dozen 4-year-old trotting harness racing rivals on Saturday night (July 12) at The Meadowlands in the 1-1/8 mile Grade 1 $425,000 E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity.
The strapping mare driven by David Miller settled third after a wide start as Sir Pinocchio soared off the gate to get the lead with Warrawee Michelle squeezing into second and Private Access in the mix. Miller asked Elista Hanover to take control of the dozen foes and quickly left the pylons to take over in a fiery first quarter of :25.1.
Miller was in control going to the half when Private Access launched a challenge on the outside and took over the top spot while Elista Hanover sat cold covered in second and Warrawee Michelle stayed in the flow of a :54.1 half. Miller’s mare quickly muscled off the pylons again and passed Private Access to take the lead for the second time in the added-distance route.
Elista Hanover was plowing ahead and cut three-quarters in 1:22.1 with no sign of tiring even as Warrawee Michelle took aim at her midstretch. There was no denying the International Moni-Evermore mare at that point and Miller let his mare loose to a stakes-record win in 2:03 (after trotting the mile in 1:49.3). The time beats the previous record of 2:04.1 set in 2015 (the second edition of the race) by JL Cruze.
Warrawee Michelle stayed determined to get the place spot, beaten 2-1/2 lengths. Security Protected flew from the pack and past breakers down the center of the track to grab third from Private Access in fourth.
ELISTA HANOVER REPLAY
R Lynn Curry, Philomena P. Curry and trainer Annie Stoebe own Elista Hanover, earned her first win of the year in her sixth try and her 14th victory in her third season of racing.
“She is so versatile,” Stoebe said. “Dave can do whatever he needs to, and that was what he needed to do tonight. She wintered down at Spring Station with my friend Sasha and came back strong, bigger and ready for the 4-year-old year. We knew how talented she was and it was worth taking a shot.”
Stoebe said she wants Elista Hanover to finish the 4-year-old season strong. “The Breeders Crown would be great and there are others along the way for her.”
Elista Hanover paid $4.80 to win while raising her lifetime bankroll to $781,751.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Frank Cotolo, for The Meadowlands
