Armycaptin Hanover was debuting from a new stable on Friday night, but continued his winning ways at the Fraser Downs meet as he took the featured $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace for trainer/driver Rod Therres.
Claimed from the Kelly Hoerdt stable for $20,000 last Saturday by Therres, Armycaptin Hanover earned his third straight victory at the meet as he stepped up in competition and halted co-favourite Sunshine Boy's streak in the Preferred.
Parked through a :27 opening quarter over the off track, outside assignee Sunshine Boy (Scott Knight) was looking for his fourth win in as many starts this season as he worked to clear early leaver Itll Be Fine (David Hudon) while the field raced in front the grandstand for the first time. Sunshine Boy took over and continued to lead the compact field of five past the half in :57.1 before Armycaptin Hanover, who tracked in third early on for Therres, marched on by as they passed three-quarters in 1:24.4 then drew off by more than four lengths at the end to win in 1:52.4. Sunshine Boy settled for second while Itll Be Fine followed back in third, with Bad Moon Horizon (Tyson Jacoby) and Vertical Squirt (Clinton Warrington) completing the field.
Armycaptin Hanover paid $4.20 to win and $2.10 to place. There was no show wagering.
The eight-year-old Captaintreacherous-Allamerican Coed gelding now boasts 40 career wins and more than $300,000 in purse earnings.
Kelly Hoerdt led all trainers on the nine-race card as he sent out three winners. He kicked off the night with back-to-back victories aboard pacing geldings Light My Shadow ($3.20) and Bay Street Buddy ($2.40) then later returned to the winner's circle with pacing mare Diva Amour ($3.10) after taking the fifth race to complete his training triple. Bay Street Buddy and Diva Amour are now both a perfect three-for-three at the Fraser meet. Hoerdt also drove one of two winning Ashley Ederer trainees on the card, closing out the action in rein to the season-debuting three-year-old gelding Iknowbetter ($3.10).
To view Friday's complete harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)