Harrah's Hoosier Park: Ken Hanover collects Pacing Derby title

Ken Hanover proved that he's back in peak form with a rugged effort, capturing Friday's Grade 2 $175,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby in a 1:48 1/5 mile for driver Tim Tetrick at Harrah's Hoosier Park. A 6-year-old son of Captaintreacherous, Ken Hanover spent much of the opening-half on the outside, but once in front remained there to the wire.

Clever Cody blasted off the wings of the starting gate to take instant control of the field as Dandy Ideal left from the pole position but couldn't match strides. Jason Bartlett did manage to squeeze out before the turn, keeping Tetrick and Ken Hanover from pursuing the front initially. Dandy Ideal gained control before the 26 1/5 opening quarter and parked the 1-2 favored Ken Hanover a good portion of the second quarter before reqlinquishing the lead.

Tetrick had Ken Hanover on top at the half in 53 3/5 and kept the pace lively as Clever Cody moved for a second time on the turn with Swingtown following him second-over. With three-quarters in 1:21 1/5, Bartlett moved Dandy Ideal to make an aggressive challenge with Ken Hanover but could not match strides with the favorite. While Ken Hanover edged free of that rival, Yannick Gingras shifted to the pylons with Swingtown and made-up ground rapidly but ran out of racetrack and had to settle for second. Maximus Miki and Scott Zeron rallied late for third as Dandy Ideal weakened late and finished fourth.

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Trained by Roland Mallar, Ken Hanover is owned by Mallar, Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt. The victory was Ken Hanover's second straight Grand Circuit triumph following a come-from-behind win in the Ewart at Scioto Downs on September 12. As the favorite Ken Hanover paid $3.00 to win.

"I'd rather have Jason (Bartlett Dandy Ideal) on my back than have him moving on me," said Tetrick of his decision to pursue the front with Ken Hanover. "He's definitely come alive. He's doing everything right."