Legendary Hanover sets track record in EB Classic

Tioga Downs played host to four Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) races for 3-year-old harness racing pacers (two filly divisions and two colt & gelding divisions) on Sunday (Aug. 25).

A Few Choice Words (Courtly Choice, Jim Marohn Jr.) wins thriller in the $108,000 first division for fillies.

A Few Choice Words ($4.30) took the early lead.  She’s Epic (Matt Kakaley) went by just before hitting the quarter first in :27.0.  A Few Choice Words reclaimed the lead with a lap to go and was first to the half in :55.1.  She was first to three-quarters in 1:23.3.

As they went around the final turn Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) took over the lead.  As they headed down the stretch A Few Choice Words battled back on the inside as second place finisher Camerican (Jordan Stratton) came flying three-wide.  A Few Choice Words won the three-way photo in 1:52.0.  Peace Talks had to settle for third.

A Few Choice Words is a filly owned by Clancy Farms and trained by Blake Macintosh.  It was her seventh win this season.  She now has 11 career victories.

A FEW CHOICE WORDS REPLAY

Tarrific (Huntsville, Jason Bartlett) breezes to easy win in the $108,000 second division for fillies.

Hunting Hula (Mark MacDonald) was first to the quarter in :26.3.  She used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1.  Tarrific ($2.30) made her move heading down the backstretch and took control at three-quarters in 1:23.3.

As they reached stretch Tarrific found another gear and won easily in 1:51.0.  Leanne’s Choice (Markus Miller) was second best.  Ponynamedwildfire (James MacDonald) finished third.

Chris Rider trains for owners Margeret Dey and Let It Ride Stables.  It was her fifth win this season after being winless as a freshman.

TARRIFIC REPLAY

Howlenthehills (American Ideal, Matt Kakaley) captures the $104,500 first division for colts & geldings.

Spring Blake (Greg Merton) took the early lead but Escape To America went by just before hitting the quarter first in :27.0.  Howlenthehills then got the lead with a lap to go.  He was first to the half in :55.0.  Seen Her (Brett Beckwith) was first to make a move down the backstretch but was just spinning his wheels as Howlenthehills reached three-quarters first in 1:23.1.

As they entered the stretch Spring Blake slipped through on the inside and Escape To America went to the attack on the outside.  Howlenthehills dug in and won in 1:50.3.  Escape To America was second.  Spring Blake finished third.

Howlenthehills is a gelding owned Symmetry Stables and trained by Travis Alexander.  It was his 11th win of the season and his career.

HOWLENTHEHILLS REPLAY

Legendary Hanover (Huntsville, James MacDonald) crushes the field to take the $105,750 second division for colts & geldings.

Huntingforchrome (Matt Kakaley) went straight to the lead and led to the quarter in :27.1.  Legendary Hanover ($2.10) then took command with a circuit to go.  He was first to the half in :58.1.  He cruised to three-quarters in 1:21.4.

As they made the turn for home.  Legendary Hanover just took off and blew the field away by setting a track record for 3-year-old pacing colts in 1:48.1.  Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) finished second.  Huntingforchrome settled for third.

Legendary Hanover is a colt trained by Anthony Beaton for owners Erik Good, West Win Stables, and Mark Dumain.  It was his sixth win of 2024.  He now has 12 career victories.

LEGENDARY HANOVER REPLAY

Tioga downs also played host to a pair of divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing colts & geldings.

Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday, Matt Kakaley) won the $51,500 (non-betting) first division in 1:51.2.  He is trained by Travis Alexander for owners Flying A Racing Stable and Chuck Pompey.  It was his fourth win in five lifetime starts.

Holt Hanover (Huntsville-Heart Major, Mark MacDonald) takes the $51,500 second division in 1:50.4.  Holt Hanover ($9.20) is a colt owned by Joe Sbrocco, Gewertz Latore, and trainer Ray Schnittker.  It was his first career win.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 31) at 6:15 p.m.  There is no racing on Friday (August 30), and nor racing on Sunday (September 1). For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

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

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs