Harrah's Philadelphia: Hannelore Hanover scores in Great Northeast Series

Hannelore Hanover improved to two-for-two in 2018 by winning a division of the Great Northeast Series for open trotters on a big day of racing on Sunday at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Hannelore Hanover got away with soft fractions of 28, 57, and 1:25 and kicked home in 27 2/5 to prevail by three lengths in 1:52 2/5. Sutton (Andy Miller) followed from the pocket and was second, with Deep Impact (Ake Svanstedt) a first-over third.

It was victory number 38 for Hannelore Hanover, a 6-year-old Swan For All mare trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and J And T Silva Stables LLC. Hannelore Hanover, who was the 1-9 choice and paid $2.10 to win, has now earned $2,573,677.

On the pacing side of the Great Northeast, it would be Bettor’s Edge (Scott Zeron) and L A Delight (Gingras) taking top honors.

In the male pace, Bettor’s Edge sat pocketed behind Check Six (Gingras) through stations of 27 1/5, 55 1/5, and 1:22 3/5, took the lead in upper stretch, and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:49 3/5. Check Six held second, with Boston Red Rocks (Brett Miller) taking third.

A 9-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding, Bettor’s Edge is trained by Jennifer Lappe, who also co-owns him with Robert Santagata. Bettor’s Edge made his 41st appearance in the winner’s circle, and he pushed his bankroll to $2,109,982. He was the 7-5 favorite and returned $4.80 to win.

Even-money choice Twinkle (Andrew McCarthy) took the lead passing the 26 1/5 opening quarter in the mare pace, and she was still in front at the 54 2/5 half, but L A Delight (Gingras), who had settled third, came rolling first-up to challenge at the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters. L A Delight would forge her way into the lead, and she would hold sway by three-parts of a length over Windsun Glory (Brett Miller), who brushed from eighth to second in the last quarter. Delightful Dragon (David Miller) was third. The final time was 1:50 3/5.

Trained by Nancy Johansson for owner Diamond Creek Racing, L A Delight is a 5-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight. This was the 26th career triumph for L A Delight, who has now banked $1,390,574. She was sent off as the 2-1 second choice and paid $6.60 to win.

Completing the undercard events were a pair of $79,720 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes tests for 3-year-old pacing fillies, and they were won by Serene Stride and Sidewalk Dancer. Serene Stride (Eric Carlson), a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, won by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:51 3/5 for trainer Mark Harder and owners Emilio and Maria Rosati, and Sidewalk Dancer (Brett Miller), a filly by A Rocknroll Dance, prevailed by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:50 3/5 for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Northfork Racing Stable, Omar Beiler, and Dennis Coons.