Photobombr Hanover never looked back from his outside post six in taking the final event in the John Simpson Sr. stakes series, the $74,000 two-year-old colt pace, on Sunday afternoon (October 30) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, winning in a lifetime-best 1:52.4.

Hall of Fame driver David Miller hustled the freshman to the top in :27, then took a 30-second breather in the second quarter. Photobombr Hanover had to step it back up to :27.3 down the back to hold off a huge rush by first-over Point Somewherelse, did so successfully, and then kept pocket-sitting Maconupwiththedragon at bay by one and a quarter lengths through the lane with a final split of :28.1, with Pointsomewherelse another length back in third.

Tom Fanning trains the four-time seasonal winner, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms (which Simpson Sr. helped grow and prosper for so many years), who increased his earnings just over the $80,000 mark, for owners Howard Taylor and Susan Kajfasz. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Pilgrims Witchie has a pedigree to show even more improvement, as his dam was one of four to win $200,000 out of six foals by his second dam Witchtree (who herself won $199,000+), and his fourth dam is the double-gaited world champion Countess Adios, whose brother has also had some impact on the breed – Meadow Skipper.

(Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association)