Hana Hanover equals world mark in Bluegrass

September 28, 2007

Hana Hanover equaled the world record for 3-year-old filly pacers on a mile track with a 1:49.2 victory in the third of three divisions of the $233,000 Bluegrass under cloudless skies at The Red Mile Friday afternoon.

Driven by George Brennan, Hana Hanover got away fourth and waited patiently as Cabana Fever and then Liberty Skiberty led through first-half fractions of :26.3 and :55. Brennan moved Hana Hanover from fourth at the 1:23 three-quarters, and then the daughter of Western Hanover blazed home in :26.2 to win by open lengths. Artcotic was second for Tim Tetrick with Cabana Fever third for Mike Lachance.

"She really covers the ground real well," said Brennan afterward when asked about Hana Hanover's final quarter to seal the victory.

Trained by Mark Steacy, Hana Hanover equaled the world mark shared by Incredible Tillie and Rainbow Blue. Earlier this year she captured the $320,000 Mistletoe Shalee final at the Meadowlands. The Bluegrass win was her sixth of the year in 10 starts, pushing her earnings to more than $403,000.

Hana Hanover is owned by David Reid, David McDonald, Stan Klemencic and G. Man Son Hing.

Taking control just past the opening quarter, Little Miss Dragon led at the next two calls to win the first of the three Bluegrass divisions. Driven by John Campbell, Little Miss Dragon crossed te wire in 1:51.1 for her fourth win in a row.

After a short delay while Isabella Blue Chip went back to the paddock for a shoeing change, Little Miss Dragon left quickly from post one but yielded the front to Isabella Blue Chip and driver David Miller. When the opening quarter time flashed :29.3, Campbell moved Little Miss Dragon up and around the leader to take control. After posting subsequent fractions of :56.4 and 1:24.2, Little Miss Dragon closed out her mile with a final quarter of :26.4.

Isabella Blue Chip made it close under the wire with a late challenge, but had to settle for second. Me And My Baby was third for Dave Palone.

Last year's divisional champion, Little Miss Dragon was winless her first three starts before finally finding the winner's circle. But since then she has been perfect in all four starts. With Friday's winner share of $39,000, Little Miss Dragon increased her career earnings to $538,322 for owner Adam Victor & Son Stable and trainer Noel Daley.

"She's really rounded into form the last six weeks," Campbell said afterward. "She had a couple of health issues and as soon as Noel (Daley) was able to address them, she got to being the kind of filly we'd thought she'd be at the start of the year."

The second $77,000 split went to Tidewaterdragonfly and driver Ron Pierce in 1:50.1. Pierce got away third with the Fan Hanover winner as Tim Tetrick sent U All BB to the lead, but moved his charge to the front shortly before reaching the half in :54.2. From there she had it her on way to the wire, easily holding off U All BB for the victory. Lady Mattgalane made a late charge past the three-quarters but she flattened out and had to settle for third.

A daughter of Dragon Again, Tidewaterdragonfly is owned by David Beachler and Annefunia Singleton. She is trained by Kelly O'Donnell, who also trained her sire. The win was her fourth in 10 starts this year and seventh overall in 16 attempts. She now has career earnings of more than $558,000.

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