Breeders Crown: Mirage Hanover pounces from the pocket in 3YO Colt Pace final

Driver Dexter Dunn worked a snug pocket ride for 5-2 second choice Mirage Hanover and powered for the money to equal the 1:48 stakes record in the $600,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace on Saturday night (Oct. 26) at the Meadowlands.

Leaving from the pylon post, Dunn pushed Mirage Hanover to secure a seat behind 3-5 favorite Captain Albano, who bore a furious challenge from Timeisonmyside through a 26 4/5 first quarter. Timeisonmyside remained a pestering thorn to Captain Albano, who nonetheless coasted to a 54 1/5 half.

Captain Albano continued to cruise as Timeisonmyside retreated through the turn and congested the outer tier on the move to three-quarters in 1:21 2/5. Mirage Hanover all the while followed with intent and amply responded once Dunn launched him for home. Mirage Hanover drew alongside Captain Albano and zipped away in the final eighth to post a 2 1/2 length win with Nijinsky emerging off a ground-saving trip for second. Captain Albano faded to third with Calicojack Hanover finishing fourth and McCrunch taking fifth.

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"He absolutely loves it; just loves to do it," said trainer Jake Leamon, who won his first Breeders Crown trophy in just his second finals appearance. "He's laid back, easy to jog - two fingers - never gets excited and just goes when you ask him. [Captain Albano] is a really tough horse. It was going to come right down to it."

Marvin Rounick owns Mirage Hanover, a Hanover Shoe Farms-bred colt by Bettor's Delight out of the Mach Three mare Mayhem Seelster. The colt collected his sixth win from 17 starts this season and his 10th victory from 26 starts in his career, good for $882,593 in earnings. His 1:48 win matched the record set in 2016 by Racing Hill at the Meadowlands. Dexter Dunn collected his first trophy in the 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace.

Mirage Hanover paid $7.40 to win.