Meadowlands: Abuckabett Hanover prevails in Dave Brower Memorial

Abuckabett Hanover and Dexter Dunn rolled into a perfect trip on the final turn and then catapulted past the field in the homestretch to capture Saturday's $152,190 Dave Brower Memorial at the Meadowlands in a 1:47 3/5 mile over a rain-soaked track rated "good."

With 11 horses going to the post, the first quarter proved the most telling as Ruthless Hanover and Andrew McCarthy pushed out from the pole position but surrendered the lead early to Allywag Hanover and Todd McCarthy. Dunn also left with Abuckabett Hanover and found a willing seat behind the leader as Ruthless Hanover would be up for a second move before the
26 3/5 opening quarter to gain control.

Betting favorite Ken Hanover had the second tier and waited for the smoke to clear before embarking on a long coverless move. Approaching the half it was clear that Miller would not be able to get by the pace-setting Ruthless Hanover, but he effectively applied pressure, forcing a 53 4/5 half-mile and continued at the leaders throat through much of the third quarter. Charlie May and Jason Bartlett had been out from the start from post nine, and they casually followed cover, but, for a brief moment, lost contact with Ken Hanover on the final turn. That left the door ajar for Dunn to edge Abuckabett Hanover off the pylons and into second-over position.

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With Ruthless Hanover clinging to a short lead at the 1:21 three-quarters, Dunn made his move with Abuckabett Hanover and he flashed a quick burst to circle the leaders. Allywag Hanover looked for room to the inside, with Todd McCarthy getting shut off before he eventually moved between horses for room but lacked much and lost valuable momentum. Charlie May did have something in reserve for Jason Bartlett and finished strongly for second, with Ken Hanover resilient in third after a brutal trip. Allywag Hanover would settle for fourth.

It was the third major stakes win of the night for Dunn.

Sent off at 5-2 Abuckabett Hanover, a 6-year-old by Betting Line, returned $7 to win. Trained by Andrew Harris, who co-owns along with William Pollock and Bruce Areman, Abuckabett Hanover was a winner for the second time this year.

"He's the O.G.," said an elated Harris in the winner's circle. "He's the horse that got this started."