Took Hanover, Tarver Hanover victorious in Levy Series splits

A big surprise and a no surprise won Saturday night's pair of $50,000 divisions in the fourth preliminary round of Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. The death and taxes detail was again Took Hanover, who ran his winning streak to four races with his third series win as many tries.

With Greg Merton driving for trainer Noel Daley, Took Hanover--the 1-4 choice leaving from post position No. 2--eased aroud pole-sitting Radar Installed N (Jordan Stratton) before a :27.3 opening stanza. A soft 56-second intermission and 1:24.1 three-quarters ended the suspense as second-choice Palone Ranger (Catello Manzi) had to come from last among the six-pack.

Took Hanover easily held off Radar Installed N, prevailing by a length-and-a-half in 1:51.4. Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis), Palone Ranger and JK Big Shot (Stephane Bouchard) caressed the crumbs, while Royal Man (Greg Grismore) was hopefully made richer by the experience.

For Took Hanover, a 5-year-old son of The Panderosa co-owned by Adam Victor and Son & John Fielding, it was his fourth win in eight '08  tries. He paid $2.50, leading an $8.60 exacta and $23.60 triple.

Tarver Hanover, an afterthought in the first three preliminary legs of this series, authored a 23-1 upset here.

With Jason Bartlet driving for trainer Roy Dinges, "Tarver," from post No. 3, sat a three-hole early. Even-money favorite Mypanmar (Bouchard) stuffed even-money second choice (no misprint) Special Report (Larry Stalbaum) in behind before a :26.4 opening quarter-mile. After a :55.1 intermission, Home Run Hudson (Manzi) tried it first-over, but was just pacing in place.

Mypanmar, a pocket winner in his Levy event a week ago, negotiated a 1:22.4 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.

Special Report angled out, leaving tbe passing lane to Tarver Hanover. That one found the short way home, outgaming Special Report by a nose in 1:51.3. Mypanmar was third, beatn just a neck, with Home Run Hudson and Looselipssinkships (Jim Pantaleano) also making money. King Cat Anvil N (Stratton) was outrun.           

For Tarver Hanover, a 7-year-old son of Ball and Chain owned by The Wiz Kids Stable, it was his first win in a dozen seasonal starts. He returned $49.40, with the exacta paying $122 and the triple good for $243. (Yonkers)

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