Sutter hopes for BC repeat

Earlier in the season, Sutter Hanover might have been unprepared for the spotlight. If his Breeders Crown elimination victory on Oct. 21 was any indication, he could now be ready for prime time.

Sutter Hanover, sent off at 22-1 odds, upset favorite Kenneth J in one of the three elims for 2-year-old male pacers; Olay Olay and Artzina won the others.

"He’s a big horse – late developing – and is just coming into his own," trainer Mark Harder said about Sutter Hanover. "He had some allergies and sickness during the summer, and it took him four or five starts to kind of get his act together. He was a big, lazy horse and was just sort of going through the motions."

Winless in his first four starts – all stakes events – Sutter Hanover has won four of his last five races. In his Crown elim, Sutter Hanover chased down Kenneth J from mid-pack in the stretch and won by a half-length in 1:50.4. It was the fastest of the three eliminations. Sutter Hanover was a $20,000 yearling purchase.

"I looked at him and liked him; he had good size and color," Harder said. "He was a little plain, but there was nothing wrong with him. I’ve had some luck with Dragon Agains and conformation-wise he was just a nice, correct horse."

Harder has had 13 horses reach Breeders Crown finals during his career, but is looking for his first champion. Sutter Hanover will start from post two in Saturday’s $600,000 final and will have Rick Zeron at the lines.

"If he keeps improving, he can be real good," Harder said. "If he races back to what he did Saturday, he’s got as good a chance as anybody." (HRC)

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