Milieu Hanover sneaks by to win mares pace

Plainville, MA — Milieu Hanover (Betting Line) made her second start in Massachusetts pay big dividends after she rallied late to capture the $25,000 fillies and mares Winners-Over harness racing pacing feature Tuesday afternoon (May 30) at Plainridge Park.

Milieu Hanover (Bruce Ranger) took the lead off the gate but submitted to La Bella Vita N (Shawn Gray) just before the :26 flat quarter. Positions remained unchanged in the abbreviated five-horse field until just past the half when Dandy’s Evrlasting (Matty Athearn) pulled first-over with Probert (Brett Beckwith) on her tail.

The entire field was within 3-½ lengths of each other as they headed up the backstretch and into the last turn where Probert went three deep to match strides with the leaders.

At the top of the stretch, La Bella VIta N, Dandy’s Evrlasting and Probert were across the track and pulled away from the field, leaving the pocket-sitting Milieu Hanover in their wake by two lengths. But Ranger managed to roust Milieu Hanover and she dug in by the pylons to make up the difference and then pulled ahead by a quarter length to win in 1:51.4 and register a new seasonal mark. She paid $6.60 to win.

MILIEU HANOVER REPLAY

The co-featured $20,000 event for female pacers went to At The Hop (Huntsville) and driver Matty Athearn who left from post five and led at every station en route to a half-length victory over Quebecoise (Jay Randall) in 1:52.2, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.

At The Hop ($4.80) is owned by 1812 Racing and is trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

AT THE HOP REPLAY