Coach K Hanover (Walner) 2, 1:54.4f ($160,712) is the former track record holder at Harrah’s Philadelphia who has had to retire from harness racing and will now begin his new career as a stallion at Dublin Valley Farms in Ohio.
From the Explosive Matter mare Chezatter, Coach K Hanover hailed from the Ake Svanstedt Stable and was an early season trotting sensation. In his first pari-mutuel start Coach K Hanover wired the field at Pocono Downs in 1:56.1, winning in a romp by four and one-quarter lengths.
COACH K HANOVER TRACK RECORD REPLAY
His next start was in a $64,800 division of the John Simpson Memorial Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia. In that race, Svandstedt sent Coach K Hanover right to the lead and the colt again won in a romp by five open lengths in 1:54.4, rewriting the track record for two-year-old trotters.
“Coach K was really good gaited, very strong and a talented trotter with a lot of speed,” said trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt.
Coach K Hanover would make just three more starts in his career. In his final start, despite making a break at the half mile pole, he was a game second place finisher in the $413,600 Valley Victor Trot at The Meadowlands, losing by just a half a length to Fast As The Wind in 1:53.2.
“I felt Coach K had what it takes to be a top horse,” said co-owner Jeff Gural of the Young Guns Stable. “He got a late start at two and lowered Captain Corey’s track record at Philly (1:54.4) leading all the way in just his second career start.
“We brought him to The Meadowlands in November where he cut the mile in 1:55 to get beat a head in the Kindergarten final before an eventful second in the 1:53.2 Valley Victory,” Gural added. “Both races he could have won with any luck.”
After his race in the Valley Victory, Coach K Hanover injured himself and was unable to get back to the races.
Robert Hershberger of Dublin Valley Farms announced that Coach K Hanover will be syndicated. Please contact Joe Yoder at Dublin Valley Farms 330- 473-5863 for further information.
by Steve Wolf, for Dublin Valley Farms