Flamboro: Field set for Juravinski Memorial Cup after three elims

Bulldog Hanover set a track and Canadian record in winning Sunday night's third and final C$25,000 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup elimination for 4-yearold male pacers at Flamboro Downs in 1:49 3/5. The other eliminations went to Rockyroad Hanover and Desperate Man.

Driven by Jody Jamieson, Bulldog Hanover left from post six and was able to clear Hellabalou (James MacDonald) for the lead before the 27 1/5 opening quarter. Powertrain (Sylvain Filion) would pull to the outside from fourth heading to that marker and moved up to challenge Bulldog Hanover, but Jamieson had no intention of letting Powertrain go and parked him to a 54 3/5 half. Powertrain faded from contention on the third turn, and at the same time, Jamieson decided to let Bulldog Hanover pace on and get separation on the group on the way to the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters.

Seeing that Bulldog Hanover was getting away, Yannick Gingras sent 4-5 favorite Lou's Pearlman first-over from third approaching three-quarters to try and chase him down. Although he made up ground through the last quarter, the advantage that Bulldog Hanover had built up was too much, and he hit the wire half a length ahead of Lou's Pearlman, with Dean B Hanover (Jordan Stratton) rallying from last to third in the final panel.

Trainer Jack Darling also co-owns Bulldog Hanover, a son of Shadow Play, with Brad Grant. This was his 15th win from 22 career starts, and he has now earned C$943,561. He was the even-money second choice in his 2022 debut and paid $4.00 to win.

Back in the first elimination, Century Heineken (Doug McNair) blasted through from the pole position to the point and carved out fractions of 26 2/5, 54 4/5, and 1:22 4/5. Meanwhile, 1-9 favorite Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn) had gotten away in fourth from post three but had to go wide to get around a breaking Twin B Heart Throb (Brett MacDonald) on the third turn. That incident also forced Armor Seelster (Jamieson) to the outside, as well as Woodmere Stealdeal (Jonathan Drury).

Dunn was able to get Rockyroad Hanover back down to the rail in third before three-quarters, but Armor Seelster and Jamieson, who slid down to the pylons behind him in fourth, got the jump by being first to the outside. However, Dunn had plenty of room to tip out on the last turn to follow Armor Seelster from second-over, then fanned him out three-wide on the bend.

With all that action going on behind him, Century Heineken was still in command turning for home and looked strong, but Rockyroad Hanover wouldn't be denied despite the adventurous trip, and he would get up in the closing strides to beat Century Heineken by three-quarters of a length in a 1:51 mile. Armor Seelster secured a spot in the final by finishing third.

Tony Alagna trains Rockyroad Hanover, a son of Captaintreacherous, for owner M3 Racing Stable. Rockyroad Hanover made his seventh appearance in the winner's circle in his 27th start, and he has now put away $624,494. He returned $2.30 to win.

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Charlie May (Dunn) was the 1-9 choice in the second elimination, and he would watch from third as Virgo (McNair) and American Courage (Matt Kakaley) slugged it out for most of a 26 3/5 opening quarter. After Virgo got American Courage to back off into the pocket, Dunn sent Charlie May two-wide, and he was able to get past Virgo to take charge prior to the 55 second half-mile mark.

Kakaley made another move with American Courage heading to the half by bringing him first-over, and he would be rebuffed by Charlie May to a 1:22 2/5 three-quarters and then ducked into the pocket that was vacated by a backpedaling Virgo. Meantime, Desperate Man (Trevor Henry) tracked American Courage from second-over and then went three-wide on the last turn, with Linedrive Hanover (J. MacDonald) positioned third-over.

In the lane Charlie May responded when called upon by Dunn, but Desperate Man surged and was able to get by him late in the mile. Desperate Man wasn't home free, though, as Linedrive Hanover was also closing in while widest. Linedrive Hanover ran out of track, though, with Desperate Man holding sway by a head in 1:50 2/5. Charlie May had to settle for third.

The victorious 4-year-old Shadow Play gelding is co-owned by trainer Kathy Cecchin in partnership with her husband John, her daughter Nicole Davies, and her son-in-law Paul Davies. Desperate Man tallied for the seventh time from 20 appearances, and he has now banked C$1,001,886. Dispatched at 10-1, the reigning Horse of the Year in Canada paid $22.30 to win.

Here's the draw for next Sunday's C$273,500 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup final:

1-Lou's Pearlman
2-Bulldog Hanover
3-Charlie May
4-Rockyroad Hanover
5-Linedrive Hanover
6-Armor Seelster
7-Century Heineken
8-Desperate Man
9-Dean B Hanover
AE-Second Bruiser