Jug hopefuls win Previews

The trainer-driver-owner combination of Michael Burke, Dave Palone and George Leon captured two of the three Jug Preview divisions at Scioto Downs Saturday night with Sandro Hanover and True North Hanover in identical 1:51 clockings, while Western Ace too the third split in 1:50.2, a track record for 3-year-old pacers.

Sandro Hanover captured the first of three $70,000 divisions, going wire to wire and winning by two lengths over Western Guy with Gran Sasso third. Dean Davis also owns a share of the Western Hanover colt who scored his fifth triumph of the year in 17 starts and put his career earnings over the $300,000 mark.

True North Hanover took the lead in front of the grandstand the first time and was unchallenged from there, drawing away for a five-length victory over Adios winner Cactus Creek with Wiggle Out Of This third. The gelded son of The Panderosa picked up his 10 win of the year in 17 starts and boosted his earning for this year over the $300,000 mark as well.

Western Ace went wire to wire with fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:22.4 en route to his track record. At the wire Bono Bests was two lengths back in second and Palone Ranger was third.

Randy Tharps was in the bike for trainer George Teague Jr. and owners Teague Inc. and the Kovach Stables as the Western Ideal gelding won for just the second time in 11 starts this year, but increased his career earnings to more than $1.1 million.

All three Jug Preview winners are eligible for the Little Brown Jug Thursday, Sept. 21, at Delaware, Ohio.

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