Rivalry roles reversed in $500,000 Tattersalls

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Luck finally came the way of Abuckabett Hanover in the $500,000 Tattersalls Pace as he raced into a second-over spot to best a hard-luck Perfect Sting at the finish of a 1:49.4 harness racing mile on Sunday (Oct. 10) at The Red Mile.

Driver Andrew McCarthy sent Abuckabett Hanover into a tactical spot from post 9, settling into fifth through a :28 first quarter set by Perfect Sting. Lou’s Pearlman pulled pocket into the backstretch to take over command before a :55.2 half while stablemate Southwind Gendry cruised first over to apply pressure into the final turn.

McCarthy followed Southwind Gendry’s move and raced within two lengths of the lead to three-quarters in 1:23.3 as Summa Cum Laude and Charlie May began to fan off cover in behind. Lou’s Pearlman drifted off the cones into the stretch to create a seam for Perfect Sting to dash through while Abuckabett Hanover lifted off his cover and inched towards Perfect Sting coming to the final yards. The Betting Line colt edged by Perfect Sting in time to claim a neck victory while Southwind Gendry gave chase from third and Charlie May, a $50,000 supplement, rallied to take fourth.

“He started out the year looking like he was going to be as good as anybody,” trainer Tony Alagna said after the race. “He won his first three starts and looked like everything was setting up really well. We went to Yonkers for the Messenger and he drew the eight hole, that didn’t go well. We had to just kind of take a deep breath. We regrouped, we went to the Simcoe in Canada, he was great there. He came here last week, he was a very good second to [Southwind] Gendry – they came a back half of :53 and change in the mud. The horse showed he was coming back around, and today was his day. If any horse deserved a big win, it was him.”

ABUCKABETT HANOVER REPLAY

Abuckabett Hanover won his seventh race from 15 starts this season and his 11^th from 27 overall and has now earned $649,313 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Alagna Racing, Jablonsky Held Stable and Barbera Wienick Stable. He paid $25.80 to win.

The Tattersalls Pace was sponsored by Cameo Hills Farm.

Test Of Faith fired with ease to a 1:48.3 victory as the 7-5 favorite in the $207,000 Glen Garnsey Memorial, sponsored by the Downbytheseaside Syndicate and Diamond Creek Farms, earlier on the card.

Blue Diamond Eyes cleared control past a :27.1 first quarter and cruised to a :55 half as Grace Hill advanced first over with Fire Start Hanover second over and Test Of Faith third over. Grace Hill moved to match strides with Blue Diamond Eyes to three-quarters in 1:22 and dug into the pacesetter through the stretch as the horses she carried into contention kicked off her helmet and hit their best stride. Test Of Faith came firing fastest of all to the center of the course, outkicking Fire Start Hanover to win by two lengths while Grace Hill settled for third and Marsala Hanover rallied for fourth.

TEST OF FAITH REPLAY

Collecting her 11^th win from 13 starts this season and her 19^th from 22 overall, Test Of Faith has earned $1,155,239 for owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran. Brett Pelling trains the Art Major filly who paid $3.60 to win.

For full race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile