Duo built Ford tough

Trainer Mark Ford will send out the duo of Predator DVM and Alastor Hanover in the opening leg of the Aquarius Series for 4-year-old open pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The $35,000 Aquarius divisions are carded as races three and 10 on the card. The top 10 money earners from the first two legs of the series advance to an estimated $75,000 final on Feb. 24.

Predator DVM, a recent addition to the barn, is rated at 6-1 on the morning line from post two in the first Aquarius division. The 4-year-old gelding, from the first crop of Bettor's Delight, has won nine of 21 start for owners Dean Davis and James Snyder of Wooster, Ohio. Most recently, Predator DVM was third in the Willowdale final on Jan. at Woodbine.

"This horse won the New York Sire Stakes final last year (Sept. 16 at Saratoga),” Ford said. “(Trainer) Ed Hart had him at two and three. I know he had some soundness issues early on, but he's a nice little horse, one that'll make you money. I think both my horses fit in the Aquarius well."

Ford also handles the training duties on Alastor Hanover, tabbed at 8-1 from post seven in the second division, for owners Roger Hammer and Vicki Lynn Fair of Bedford, Pa. Alastor Hanover has won 13 of his 39 career starts and nearly $500,000 for Hammer, who was catapulted into the spotlight when he won the 2005 Hambletonian with Vivid Photo.

"I've known Roger pretty much all my life, but this was the first horse I trained for him,” Ford said. “We've had a few go back and forth since I first had him at two. This was the best 2 year old I ever trained. Last year, he had some health issues but I think he's coming back around. He'll pay his way."

Alastor Hanover also exits the Willowdale final at Woodbine, in which he finished second.

"That was a very bad night up there weather-wise," Ford noted. (Meadowlands)

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