Hannelore Hanover is back!

East Rutherford, NJ – The morning qualifiers at The Meadowlands began at 10:00 am on a lovely, clear morning with temperatures in the 50's and just a slight stretch headwind.

2017 Harness Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover made her first appearance of the new season in race 6 and she clearly looked ready to defend her crown. Sent right to the lead from post 7 by Yannick Gingras the now 6-year-old daughter of Swan For All led at every call and closed the 1:53.2 mile with a 26.4 quarter into a moderate stretch headwind. Tuonoblu Rex (Andy Miller) went well and stuck right with her in the pocket throughout to be a good second after an 8 month absence.

Ron Burke trains Hannelore for himself as Burke Racing along with Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and J&T Silva Stable. She is scheduled to make her first start of 2018 in the upcoming Cutler Memorial on May 5.

Things got underway with the sophomore daughter of Donato Hanover What A Knockout taking the first with Marcus Melander driving in 1:56.2 for owners Our Horse Cents Stable and J&T Silva.

Race 2 saw the Chapter Seven filly Seven Karats (Scott Zeron) convert a pocket ride in a 1:57 / 28.4 mile. The winner is trained by Linda Toscano for Ken Jacobs. Lima Novelty (Corey Callahan) also from the Toscano barn was second.

Don (Andy Miller) took the first of the 3-year-old colt trots in 1:56 / 28.3 converting a perfect pocket ride behind Maxus (Yannick Gingras). The New York bred son of Credit Winner is trained by Julie Miller for the home team Andy Miller Stable and Little E, LLC. NYSS final winner Six Pack (Svanstedt) had good late trot to be third.

Svanstedt steered Gemologist to an impressive 1:57 / 28.2 win in the fourth. After leaving to the front early, Gemologist was reserved to let U Need Stones (Gingras) take over as they passed the half in 1:00.1 then edged by that game rival under minimal urging for the win while Helpisontheway (Tim Tetrick) was sneaky good late to be third. Lennart Agren's SRF Stable owns the winner, a Cantab Hall colt.

Don't Press Send (Andy McCarthy) looked sharp this morning, setting all the fractions and winning well in hand in 1:57.2 / 29 with Eurobound (Domenico Cecere) closing nicely to be second. The winner is a Chapter Seven colt trained by Lucas Wallin for Reima Antero Kuisla.

Crazy Wow (David Miller) also got back to work with a solid front end effort in 1:54.2 / 28.3 holding the pocket sitter Caprice Hill (Gingras) at bay late to win. He's another Burke barn double millionaire who also has a full slate of stakes on his docket starting with the Cutler. Our Horse Cents, Stable 45, Silva and Deo Volente own the winner.

Pacing races commenced with the eighth where the 3-year-old filly Betterthanbrie won by a widening five length margin as she pleased in a visually impressive effort. She led early for driver Josert Fonseca, yielded by the 57 half and then roared by to end the 1:52.3 mile in 28 flat. The Betterthancheddar lass hails from the Jimmy Takter barn and is a homebred owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding and Goran Anderberg.

Babes Dig Me was sharp in his first go of the new year with an off the pace score for Brett Miller in 1:52.3 off a hot pace. He surged to the lead mid-stretch then held off This Is The Plan (Tetrick) in the final strides of the 29 last quarter. Tony Alagna trains the Somebeachsomewhere colt for Brad Grant, Joe Sbrocco, Rob LeBlanc along with John Fodera and Steve Wienick racing as In The Gym Partners.

Sophomore Somebeachsomewhere colt Decoy (D. Miller) was really impressive with a come from behind 1:51.2 / 27.4 win over the 4-year-old Boogie Shuffle (A. Miller). Seeing Eye Single (Gingras) also went well in here.

It was a strong field of 3-year-old colt pacers assembled for the 11th and Captain Deo (Brett Miller) threaded through them late to get the 1:53 / 28 win. Dorsoduro Hanover (Gingras) gave way grudgingly late after cutting the mile and Major Authority (Jason Bartlett) held for third. Tony Alagna trains him as well for Alagna Racing, Sbrocco, In The Gym and Captain Deo Partners.

A powerful group of older pacers teed it up in the 12th and final race of the day resulting in the fastest mile of 1:50.4 recorded by Blood Line afforded a perfect trip by Brett Miller. He pounced on mile cutter Blue Moon Stride (Callahan) as they turned for home and edged away in a 27.2 final panel. Filibuster Hanover (Gingras) closed to be second. Takter trains the winner for Diamond Creek Racing.

Live pari-mutuel racing tonight at 7:15 pm.

Nick Salvi