Harrah's Hoosier Park: Soiree Hanover prevails in Jim Doherty Memorial
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Soiree Hanover and driver Tim Tetrick overcame the outside post nine and powered by pace-setter Cheval Rapide in the homestretch to capture the first Jim Doherty Memorial held at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday night in 1:54 2/5.
The $400,000 contest for 2-year-old trotting fillies saw 25-1 shot Cheval Rapide and Yannick Gingras leave alertly, with Ponda Title and Kyle Wilfong pressing out hard for the front. The Moment and Brian Sears grabbed position behind those two, but heading into the first turn the top pair were off on their own. The Moment then broke stride, leaving plenty of room for Tetrick with Soiree Hanover to move into the three-hole before the field hit the first turn.
Gingras was able to convince his heavier bet rival to take a pocket seat, as Cheval Rapide insisted on cutting the first quarter in 26 4/5 but managed to slow the half to 56 2/5 before Tetrick took the 4-5 favored Soiree Hanover up without cover and began a hard charge on the leader. Graceful Design attempted to follow the favorite but couldn't keep up with her on the turn, allowing Ponda Title to slip out neatly late on the final bend and track Soiree Hanover.
Tetrick had his filly in-hand on the flank of Cheval Rapide at three-quarters in 1:25 1/5, but once in the long homestretch the Lucas Wallin-trained Soiree Hanover surged to the front and never looked back, securing the victory with a 29 1/5 final quarter. Ponda Title was a clear second, with Graceful Design a few lengths back in third. Slip Sliding Away and Stardust Volo completed the top five.
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"She had to do a lot of work," said Tetrick, noting the uncovered trip and the extremely long stretch.
Owned by Snogarps Gard Inc., of Delray Beach, Florida, Soiree Hanover won for the fourth time in six career starts and returned $3.60 as the public choice. The victory in the Doherty puts Soiree Hanover automatically in the Breeders Crown final to be contested over the same surface in late October.
"She just loves to have a target," said Wallin, who was happy with Soiree Hanover's effort and happier she can point towards the Breeders Crown final now.