Maeve Hanover rebounds from last week's break to win in 1:52.1

Maeve Hanover rebounded from a break in stride at the start last week to post a dominant 1:52.1 victory in Thursday night’s $76,500 Princess Pacing Series final for 3-year-old fillies at Mohawk Racetrack.

The clocking equaled her lifetime mark which was taken in round one of the series on April 24 at Woodbine.

Leaving from post six in the final, driver Mario Baillargeon opted to take her off the gate and watched as longshot Katpandu parked through a brisk first quarter of :26.3. Verbal Art, who had yielded the lead briefly, stepped back to the front in the second quarter for Jody Jamieson and then face immediate pressure from First Draw past a testy :55.3 opening half.

At that point, Maeve Hanover was situated second-over behind First Draw as that one took over the lead by three-quarters of a length. Baillargeon decided to roll his filly three wide entering the final turn and she eventually made her way to command just before the third marker which came up in 1:23.3.

Despite the demanding third quarter, Maeve Hanover easily held her rivals at bay in the stretch. First Draw held on gamely for the place spot with Michelles Idea rallying to pick up third. The winner returned $4.60.

“This mare is really coming into her own,” commented Baillargeon. “She was just immature last year, but now she is showing how good she is. I didn’t intend to go three wide that early, but I thought Jack (Moiseyev) had actually cleared. I knew my filly would get to the lead eventually and I was confident she could win from there.”

In last week’s second leg, the daughter of Real Artist-Mt Penn made a break in stride at the start as the odds-on favourite and wound up finishing seventh.

“She was just a little aggressive at the start last week and made a speed break,” explained Baillargeon. “Jack took the blinkers off and she was much more relaxed tonight. In fact, she was a bit lazy this week and I had to pull the plugs earlier than I wanted to. But, it worked out well.”

Thursday’s win was the third of the campaign for Maeve Hanover who is trained by Jack Darling. He co-owns the filly along with Dan Smith of London, Ontario.

The win boosted her career bankroll to more than $90,000. (Mohawk Racetrack)

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