Sylvia Hanover gets revenge in Bluegrass Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Canada’s star harness racing filly Sylvia Hanover (Always B Miki) exacted revenge on her 2-5 rival Twin B Joe Fresh in the second of two divisions for the $159,000 Papi Rob Hanover Bluegrass Stakes, getting the jump and outkicking her foe to the finish of a 1:48.1 mile on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) at The Red Mile.

Always B Naughty grabbed the lead from Strong Poison to a :27.2 quarter but found herself in a pocket when an antsy Hungry For Love prompted Strong Poison to circle towards the lead. Strong Poison took the field by the half in :54.2 and continued to roll through the final turn as driver Bob McClure angled Sylvia Hanover first over from fourth.

By three-quarters in 1:22.1, Strong Poison stayed game to the inside but was no match for the late speed from Sylvia Hanover, who took a 1-1/4-length win while chased home by Twin B Joe Fresh in second. Strong Poison held third from a hard-charging Charleston.

“She seems to like [the travel] – she made a little miscue at Pocono, but I think that was the sharpest she’s ever been,” winning driver Bob McClure said. “She doesn’t do much wrong. I think now that I figured out what she likes and how she likes it, I just abide by her rules, and she’ll do the rest.”

SYLVIA HANOVER REPLAY

Sylvia Hanover chiseled another tally onto her sterling record with 16 wins total from 19 starts and only one race where she finished worse than second. Mark Steacy trains the filly who has earned $1,079,774 for Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. Off the second choice at 8-5, she paid $5.30 to win.

Mollop Hanover appeared a measured winner while on the ropes in the closing strides, but 3-5 favorite McSeaside (Downbytheseaside) came with one last push to nab the first division of the Papi Rob Hanover.

Front Page Story surged for the front with Lets Misbehave in the pocket and Vivians Dream on the move along the rim through a :26.4 first quarter. Mollop Hanover tracked Vivians Dream’s brush and slid to the top before a :53.4 half. To the far turn, Mollop Hanover maintained her speed while stablemate Front Page Story marched forward along the rim with McSeaside perched on the helmet.

Mollop Hanover clicked three-quarters in 1:22 and sprinted for home on fumes as McSeaside kicked off cover and upped pressure late. Mollop Hanover tried to stay straight and strong at the inside, but McSeaside laid a final lunge to the finish to snag the win by a nose in 1:48.4. High Fashion Star closed for third and Front Page Story settled for fourth.

MCSEASIDE REPLAY

Winning her 10^th race from 25 starts, McSeaside has now racked $543,664 in the bank for owners Burke Racing Stable, Beasty LCC, J&T Silva Stables LLC and Knox Services Inc. Dexter Dunn drove the $3.56 winner for trainer Ron Burke.

Each division of the Papi Rob Hanover Bluegrass Stakes was sponsored by the Papi Rob Hanover Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile