Confederation Cup to Aracache Hanover

Aracache Hanover, a colt by Dragon Again, won the $547,000 Confederation Cup Sunday afternoon at Flamboro Downs, overcoming a break before the start and then controlling the pace to score in 1:52.1.

 

"He just put a few steps in and then came right back pacing -- he didn't bother anybody I don't think," said Doug McNair before the results were made official. "That was the first time [he did that]. He kind of shied from the gate a little, that's what happened. I kind of stopped and started him that's why he put a few steps in.

 

"He finished up tired," he continued. "He was real tired but I went a pretty big middle half, but the more I got into him the faster he went. He felt kind of weak coming around the last turn but he had five or six [lengths] on them. He just raced huge."

 

The judges reviewed the bobble, as well as a possible whipping violation, but found no reason to change the order of finish.

 

Aracache Hanover, who won his elimination, drew the rail for the final while BG's Folly, who won the second elim, drew post seven. Although Aracache Hanover bobbled at the start, McNair was able to take control of the race and hit the first quarter in :26.4. He cruised to the half in :54.2, with Foreign Officer first-over and challenging on the outside. Dan Dube made his move was also in the outer  tier with BG's Folly, who was a $25,000 supplement to the race.

 

BG's Folly never got within 5 1/2 lengths of Aracache Hanover, the margin at the wire, but good enough for second as the rest of the field faded. Four Starz Trace took third with Stonebridge Tonic fourth and Malicious fifth.

 

The victory by Aracache Hanover was his seventh straight for Team McNair--trainer Gregg McNair and his son, Doug..

 

Aracache Hanover had won his elim after starting from the trailing post nine. McNair avoided a break by Post 1 starter Wellthereyougo (Randy Waples) in front and found a spot at the rail behind Tobago Cays (Jody Jamieson).

 

McNair had Aracache Hanover on the move early though and sent him to the top before the :27.1 first quarter. He rolled past the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:24. Tobago Cays pulled the pocket heading into the final turn, but couldn’t catch Aracache Hanover, who stopped the clock in 1:51.2. Tobago Cays was second with BP Chimo (Paul MacDonell) and Adrenaline (Mario Baillargeon) also advancing to the final with their third and fourth place finishes.