Giles LS Hanover takes Cal Expo feature

A well-mannered mile combined with being reunited with the pilot who he had won two in a row with saw Giles LS Hanover get back on the winning track Thursday night at Cal Expo in a $4,500 conditioned trot.

Before starting from post position one in the field of six, driver Bruce Clarke was unsure of what to expect.

"I didn't know what type of chance he had because I didn't know what happened last week when I didn't drive him and he broke," said Clarke. "He, however, had been trotting good when I drove him--so I gave him a shot."

Coming away in third, but not closing a two-length gap at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :30.1, Giles LS Hanover continued to gap two lengths through a half-mile, timed in :59.4, as well as through a three quarters, clocked in 1:29--but Clarke wasn't concerned.

"There was a lot of movement in the race and despite him gapping a little--I was comfortable where I was."

Finally finding his best foot at the seven-eighths mile marker, Clarke waited to strike after passing a breaking foe.

"I stayed inside in the lane because I figured British Spirit (Rocky Stidham), who I know very well, would run because he had been used hard up the backside--so I just bided my time. As soon as I moved my horse to the outside with a sixteenth to go and put the whip on his tail--he'd trot strongly to the wire."

Flying to get up at the wire, Giles LS Hanover won ($10.20) by a half length. Owned by David Neumeister in partnership with trainer Bob Johnson, Giles LS Hanover stopped the timer at 1:59, a lifetime best. General Jag (Luke Plano), while used three-times, was a hard trying second, and KD Shenanigans (Steve Wiseman) finished another 2 3/4 lengths farther back, in third.

"Bobby (Johnson) had him ready and he raced good," finished Clarke. (Cal Expo)

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