Meadowlands: Hannelore Hanover triumphant in Miss Versatility Series

Hannelore Hanover won for the third time in her last four starts, scoring a 1:50 2/5 victory in the sole $40,000 division of the second leg of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Driver Yannick Gingras sent Hannelore Hanover toward the front, and she was able to get around 99-1 shot Satin Dancer (Matt Kakaley) for control of the race going to the 27 4/5 opening quarter. Gingras was then able to steal a nice second quarter breather with Hannelore Hanover, getting to the half in 55 4/5 before Swedish import Darling Mearas (Dexter Dunn), coming off a track record mile last time out, began to move first-over from third.

Hannelore Hanover and Darling Mearas got separation on the rest of the field racing to the 1:23 2/5 three-quarters, and although Darling Mearas put in a game effort on the outside, she just couldn't go by Hannelore Hanover tonight, as the pace-setter scored by about a length. Satin Dancer held third at those long odds, with Ice Attraction (Andrew McCarthy) fourth.

"I think she raced great tonight, and hopefully she keeps building on that," said Gingras. "When (Darling Mearas) got alongside of me I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but then when he did get there mine was digging, so the last 10-15 strides, I knew I was home-free."

Ron Burke trains Hannelore Hanover, a 7-year-old Swan For All mare, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and J And T Silva Stables LLC. This was her 45th career victory, and she has now earned $2,914,670. The 9-5 second choice, she paid $5.80 to win.

The Miss Versatility Series has two remaining preliminary legs at Tioga Downs on August 18 and September 6 before the final at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on September 19.