Photobombr Hanover caught pacesetter Q’s Cruise deep in the stretch and pulled off a 14-1 upset in one of the two divisions for the $86,900 Keystone Classic Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace at The Meadows on Saturday, September 23.
Q’s Cruise fronted the field through three-quarters in 1:22.3 after a :54.4 half. Photobombr Hanover, positioned second over, edged wide turning into the stretch to pursue the tempo setter.. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Pilgrims Witchie caught Q’s Cruise by a neck in 1:50.2, with Mac Attack, off a first-over trip, finishing third.
“He looks on paper like a very strong horse, and he showed up today,” Pantaleano said. “Having live cover was good. A half in :54.4 is a pretty good stinger, even for those good horses.”
Tom Fanning trains Photobombr Hanover, who extended his lifetime bankroll to $150,597, for Howard Taylor, Susan Kajfasz and Fanning Racing LLC.
Normandy Beach took the second Keystone Classic division following an uncovered effort after race leader Summer Side in 1:51.1. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Symphony In Motion overtook the leader and held off a late bid by Mac's Jackpot by a head for driver Matt Kakaley. Summer Side finished third.
“I’ve always liked this colt,” Kakaley said. “I guess the three-year-old season didn’t really go as planned, but he still has a chance to make some money with the late races.”
Ron Burke conditions Normandy Beach for William Donovan.
(With files from The Meadows)