Harrah's Philadelphia: Anoka Hanover dazzles in sophomore debut

Dan Patch Award winner Anoka Hanover was vicious in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old filly trotters on Friday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia, starting her 2021 campaign by storming to a track record-tying 1:52 3/5 win from first-up. The other two $48,645 splits went to You Ato Dream and Love Muffin in upset fashion.

Driven by Todd McCarthy, Anoka Hanover got away in fifth from post five and watched as Mazzarati (Tim Tetrick) put up fractions of 28 and 56 3/5 for the opening-half. Shortly after that half-mile clocking went on the board, McCarthy brought Anoka Hanover to the outside, and she would advance quickly into second before the 1:25 three-quarters. From there, Anoka Hanover forged her way by Mazzarati on the last turn, then accelerated away while in-hand, drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Mazzarati held second over Pub Crawl (Andy Miller).

Trainer Noel Daley also co-owns Anoka Hanover, a daughter of Donato Hanover, with partners Caviart Farms, Crawford Farms Racing, and L.A. Express Stable LLC. This was her 11th win in 14 career starts, and she has now earned $612,080. The 2-5 favorite, she paid $2.80 to win.

Back in the opening flight, You Ato Dream, driven by trainer Jeff Gregory, dashed to the point from post six, led through stations of 27 4/5, 57 3/5, and 1:25 3/5, opened up a big gap on the others in the middle-half, and kept clear to the wire, scoring by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:54 2/5. Frankly My Dear (Andrew McCarthy) was the runner-up, with Fortissimo Fashion (Tetrick) third. The top three choices in the race - Donna Soprano (Bob McClure), Gimme Shelter (Brian Sears), and Rebel Girl (Dexter Dunn) all broke stride or struggled, aiding You Ato Dream's successful front-end mission.

You Ato Dream, a Donato Hanover filly who finished second in seven stakes races as a rookie, including the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship, is also co-owned by Gregory in partnership with William Richardson, George Romanoff, and Martin Garey. With today's triumph, she now has an overall record of 2-7-0 from 12 appearances, and she has now pocketed $241,365. Sent off at 13-1, You Ato Dream returned $28.40 to win.

In the last section, Flawless Country (Ake Svanstedt), the sire stakes champion for this group a season ago, zipped to the top and cut the opening quarter in 27 3/5, but pocket-sitter Love Muffin (Andy Miller), who was victorious in the PA Stallion Series final as a 2-year-old, moved to take over command prior to the 57 second half-mile marker. Bella Bellini (Dunn), who was looking to improve her mark to four-for-four this year, then took up the chase by going first-over from third, and she would take over the second position as Love Muffin reached three-quarters in 1:25.

Bella Bellini continued to pressure Love Muffin around the last turn and into the stretch, and Flawless Country also had clear sailing up the passing lane, but through it all Love Muffin stayed dead game and resilient, keeping both of her foes at bay to tally by three-parts of a length in 1:52 4/5. Bella Bellini had to settle for taking second over Flawless Country. Breeders Crown champion Lady Chaos (David Miller) couldn't keep up to Bella Bellini's cover from second-over and had to settle for fourth, though she did gain through the stretch.

A daughter of Andover Hall, Love Muffin is trained by Julie Miller for owner Andy Miller Stable Inc. Love Muffin picked up her eighth victory from 12 lifetime tries, and she has now banked $139,181. A 6-1 shot, Love Muffin paid $15.80 to win.