Hanover Raceway hosts Prospect Series opener Saturday
Hanover Raceway kicks off its 2020 stakes season this Saturday afternoon with three divisions of the Prospect Series for Ontario Sired three-year-old pacing fillies.
Trainer Jack Darling will harness two fillies in the opening leg of the Prospect Series, Races 5, 7 and 9 on the 2 pm program, and is hoping for good things from both Dreamadreamforme and Twin B Hello.
“Dreamadreamforme, she actually won a Grassroots up there last year at Hanover,” said Darling. “But her first start she didn’t race very good so I thought I’d put them both in and see how they do and go from there. Hope they can move up, if not then they will stay in the Prospect.”
Dreamadreamforme will start from Post 3 in the second $7,100 Prospect Series division with Jason Ryan in the race bike. The Betterthancheddar daughter heads into the race off a 1:56.4 victory in her May 29 qualifier at Woodbine Mohawk Park and a fifth-place result in her sophomore debut at Georgian Downs on June 9. Last season the filly toured the Hanover half-mile in 2:00 in the Aug. 24 two-year-old pacing filly Grassroots event.
Ryan will steer Twin B Hello from Post 5 in the third division, and the pair will be looking to match or improve on the second-place result they posted in a June 9 start at Georgian Downs. The Sunshine Beach daughter was also second in her May 29 qualifier at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
“Twin B Hello last year as a two-year-old, she was okay, but she really wasn’t even good enough for the Grassroots. She’s actually come back better this year,” noted Cambridge, ON resident Darling, who also owns both fillies. “She seems a little better, so we’ll try her in there and if she gets better we can always upgrade to the Grassroots, but for now that’s a good spot for her.”
Canada’s leading driver Doug McNair will be back at Hanover Raceway this Saturday afternoon and has a mount in all three Prospect Series divisions. The rural Guelph resident will pilot Southwind Bayou from Post 1 in the first split for trainer Rob Fellows, Capistrano from Post 6 in the second division for trainer Harry Poulton and In Land Beach from Post 3 in the last division for trainer Mario Baillargeon.
“A couple months ago we didn’t know if we’d be even racing so it’s pretty good to get going with sires stakes — some nice, fresh, good, young horses. It’s that time of year again,” said McNair, who has five victories to his credit through the first two weeks of racing at Hanover.
“It’s a little bit of fun. It’s different. I haven’t done it a long time, so it’s a little different,” said McNair of his decision to add Hanover to his schedule. “And I mean the track’s good, it’s in good shape. The horses seem to get around it all right, and you’re not going 26 second first quarters.”
In addition to having the track in tiptop condition the Hanover Raceway staff was busy during the off season enhancing the live broadcast, with a new studio and HD streaming on the track’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“With my TV background I knew exactly what I wanted our product to look like,” said General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons. “And the results speak for themselves.”
Although they cannot be present at the racetrack, Hanover Raceway fans have wagered more than $60,000 on the track’s first two programs and they have also enthusiastically engaged with the Grey County oval on social media.
Fans can download a free program for this Saturday’s races, including the trio of Prospect Series divisions from the Hanover Raceway website. The first race gets under way at 2 pm.
In addition to Saturday’s Prospect Series season opener, Hanover Raceway will play host to three more Prospect Series events and two Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots events. A complete schedule is below.
Prospect & Grassroots Dates at Hanover Raceway
Saturday, June 20 3-year-old Filly Pace ( Prospect Series )
Saturday, July 4 3-year-old Filly Trot ( Prospect Series )
Saturday, July 11 3-year-old Colt Trot ( Prospect Series )
Saturday, July 18 2-year-old Colt Trot ( Prospect Series )
Saturday, Aug. 29 2 pm 2-year-old Filly Trot ( Grassroots Series )
Saturday, Sept. 5 2 pm 3-year-old Filly Pace ( Grassroots Series )
