Here's Hannah stays unbeaten with Ross McLeod win

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Here’s Hannah remained undefeated with a desperate win in the $50,000 Ross McLeod at Hastings on Sunday.

Ridden by Richard Hamel, she paid $3.20 for her nose victory over Gigi Jean, who rallied from last in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies that drew eight horses.

The champion 2-year-old filly in British Columbia in 2017 was making her first start of the year in the McLeod. Last year she wasn’t tested while cruising to front-running wins in her three starts, which included romps in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity and $100,000 Fantasy.

On paper it appeared she would be under serious pressure from Suzette in the McLeod. Instead it was Acharnement who dueled with her through quick interior fractions of 21. 93 and 45.12 seconds.

After disposing of Acharnement she opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn and held a length advantage over My Aunt Mo, Suzette, and Raider at the top of the stretch. She repelled their bids and then barely held off the late surge by Gigi Jean, who went three wide around the stretch turn and tipped out five wide when she straightened out turning for home. Raider finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Gigi Jean to round out the $2 triactor, which paid $77.00.

It looked like Here’s Hannah might be in trouble at the quarter-pole but she found another gear when Hamel tapped her a few times with his whip on the stretch turn.

“They pushed us pretty hard,” Hamel said. “When I asked her on the turn she really responded. I think she learned a lot from having to go all-out for the first time.”

The final time was 1:19.07.

A daughter of Numaany, Here’s Hannah is trained by John Morrison. She is owned by B C Stables and Paul Caravetta.