Trainer Lucas Wallin tried something different this year. In a sport that normally finds conditioners following a rigid approach, Wallin had a plan that he implemented in 2024 with his freshmen trotters, looking to find a better outcome. "I found that my horses were peaking in July and August but not as strong at the end of the year," Wallin said when asked of the change. "I wanted my horses to be stronger towards the end of the year." Two of Wallin's best young trotters were in action last week with one, Delaney Hanover, winning an elimination for the New Jersey Classic in effortless fashion while making just her second start of the season. "I'm very lucky to have owners that have shown tremendous patience," said Wallin when asked whether Delaney Hanover's late-season start was a due to physical issues or part of a larger plan. "We decided to skip the early Sire Stakes with her," said Wallin of Delaney Hanover's initial schedule that saw her win a baby race at the Meadowlands on July 20. "So, I just gave her one start in a Kindergarten to get a race into her." Delaney Hanover, a daughter of Muscle Hill, was a $160,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Lexington Selected sale. The half-sister to the $591K winner Darlene Hanover scored in her second career start, taking a 1:54 mark last Friday (August 30) while appearing completely under wraps in one of two New Jersey Classic elimination races. "She's been this way since we broke her," said Wallin, referring to the composure his filly showed on the racetrack with Todd McCarthy steering her for the first time. Thus far, whether in qualifiers or races, Delaney Hanover had been kept covered up through most of the mile and only showcased her talent in the homestretch. Her New Jersey Classic elimination final quarter of 26 4/5 was done at the expense of some horses with more seasoning but perhaps not as much ability. In Friday's $250,000 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies (race five), Delaney Hanover landed post five and may need to be a bit more assertive if she's to win for the third consecutive time. The competition will be stronger for sure. "I think Ake's filly was very strong," said Wallin, referring to likely favorite Lady Landia (post one), a Tactical Landing-sired filly that made up a huge gap in the stretch to win going away in her elimination. "You've got to expect a few of those fillies will be a lot better in the final than they showed in the elimination." Scott Zeron jumped off Delaney Hanover to drive R Charm in last week's elimination and watched her sail by him in the homestretch. R Charm was making her seventh start of the year, having raced in the New Jersey Sire Stakes prior to Delaney Hanover's racing debut and then returning from two weeks racing in Ontario in the Peaceful Way Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk. Delaney Hanover, a nice-sized filly that has a smooth gait and a wonderful disposition, appears to be the perfect package. Just in her first two starts there are glimpses of plenty of talent. "The plan would be to go to Lexington for the Grand Circuit after this," said Wallin. "She's eligible there, as well as the Breeders Crown and Goldsmith Maid." ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter On the colt side, Wallin unleashed what appears to be a very serious colt in The Rogue Prince in a non-winners race at Harrah's Philadelphia Friday afternoon (August 30). The Walner colt was sensational while leaving from post seven, tucking in third for a majority of the mile, and then romping to a 1:54 3/5 mile with a 27 1/5 final quarter kicker to boot. It was the career debut for the $375,000 yearling buy that happens to be a full brother to champion King Of The North. "He was eligible to race in the New Jersey Classic," said Wallin. "I thought it would be better for him if we gave him a race or two in overnights to get him ready for Lexington." The Rogue Prince will likely make another start in preparation for Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile and beyond. "He's very professional," Wallin added. Obviously with the high price tag expectations are high, but Wallin again praised ownership for waiting a few extra months to see first-hand what they appeared to have training down over the winter. What's interesting when looking at just last week's results for Wallin's horses and the competition, despite giving rivals a two-month head start, they have more than caught up to the competition when it comes to comparative speeds. The Rogue Prince's maiden breaker aligns him quite closely with the talent in Thursday's (September 5) Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final at The Meadows. Wallin also feels he has another potential top Grand Circuit performer in a son of Chapter Seven that made his racing debut on August 23 at Harrah's Philadelphia. Maximus Mearas S trotted to an easy 1:57 3/5 score with Wallin in the bike, shaving some three seconds off the time he posted in a lone qualifier. "He's out of Darling Mearas As," said Wallin, referring to the internationally-renowned mare that posted a 1:49 4/5 mile for Ake Svandstedt at the Meadowlands in 2019. A daughter of Cantab Hall, Darling Mearas As earned $845K during her career, with Maximus Mearas S her initial foal. Hindsight may be 20-20 but foresight requires a different kind of vision, and the 31-year-old Wallin is not too young, nor too old to modify an approach. In a sport that has changed radically when it comes to the demands it puts on its young horses, Wallin and thankfully some patient owners are willing to plan for a late season run. It means missing some lucrative early races, but hopefully should the plans pan out and the horses look as good in October and November as they did on debut on the final weekend of August, Wallin will have a model for future success.