Balmoral: Charisma Hanover defeats I Luv The Nitelife in American National
Trips are the great equalizer in racing. For I Luv The Nitelife, nothing went right in the American National for 3-year-old filly pacers at Balmoral Park and she was defeated for only the second time this year by a sharp Charisma Hanover in track record time.
Aunt Caroline was fastest off the gate and that forced I Luv The Nitelife to take a brief tuck in fourth by the opening quarter in 26 seconds. Charisma Hanover also left and had to settle for a seat in seventh. There was no rest for the weary, as Authorize rushed to the front and was followed by I Luv The Nitelife and Charisma Hanover.
After a half in 53 3/5, it appeared that I Luv The Nitelife would clear to the lead past Authorize, but she could not make it to the pylons. The pair would hook up in a bitter battle by three quarters in a scintillating 1:21 2/5 before “Nitelife” finally began to have her way.
Despite the incredibly tough uncovered trip, I Luv The Nitelife had the lead in the stretch, but Charisma Hanover tracked her every step of the mile and edged past nearing the wire in 1:49. Aunt Caroline was third.
“I Luv The Nitelife is a great horse, but we were lucky enough to be on her back,” said winning driver Yannick Gingras. “When I pulled, I thought I had it but she fought back.”
The victory was the 12th in 18 starts this year for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi. Trained by Ron Burke, Charisma Hanover has now earned $549,669 this year.