Meadowlands: Papi Rob Hanover rolls to Governor's Cup triumph

Papi Rob Hanover moved to the lead going to the half and was on cruise control from that point on, easily taking the $401,850 Governor's Cup for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:51 1/5.

Captain Groovy (Andrew McCarthy) pushed away well from post five, but he would be overtaken by Cattlewash (Yannick Gingras) going to the 27 3/5 opening quarter. Lake Charles (Tim Tetrick) got away third from the pole position, and Papi Rob Hanover (David Miller) settled in fourth. As soon as the dust settled, Miller moved to the outside with Papi Rob Hanover, and he would take over command nearing the 56 4/5 half.

Heading towards three-quarters Captain Groovy and McCarthy made another move, vacating the rail to go first-over, but it was a tepid bid as Papi Rob Hanover continued to show the way to the 1:25 three-quarters, then began to pick up the pace entering the stretch. Through the lane it was all Papi Rob Hanover as nobody was able to get close to him and he scored by about four lengths. Captain Nuno (Brian Sears) gapped cover from third-over going to three-quarters but rallied in the lane to get up for second ahead of Cattlewash. Lake Charles, Mac's Big Boy (Matt Kakaley), and Captain Groovy rounded out the order.

"Yeah, it was pretty easy," Miller said with a big smile. "Andy left with his horse and Yannick re-moved. It felt like in the first turn we weren't going a whole lot. They lined up pretty quick, and so I moved him. He was pretty comfortable, and he was pretty strong then.

"He's been a lot of fun this year. I started him out in the baby races, and to watch him to turn out to be this, it's quite a feeling of accomplishment - not for me, but for the horse. He's turned into such a nice, nice horse."

Brett Pelling trains Papi Rob Hanover, a colt by Somebeachsomewhere, for owner David McDuffee. This was Papi Rob Hanover's sixth win in 12 tries, and he pushed his bankroll to $756,783. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., Papi Rob Hanover sold for $130,000 at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale and is the second foal out of Panera Hanover (Rocknroll Hanover, 1:51 2/5, $158,712). Panera Hanover is a half-sister to four other six-figure earners, topped by JK Panache (Art Major, 1:47 3/5, $662,789). Papi Rob Hanover was the 1-9 choice and paid $2.20 to win.

"In the U.S. I think for sure, the Canada thing is a little bit different for the O'Briens, but I think for the U.S. I can't see how they could rate the other horse ahead of him," Pelling said when asked about Papi Rob Hanover's chances for year-end honors against rival Tall Dark Stranger. "He's done absolutely everything - two track records, sire stakes champion, Governor's Cup winner. He's just a fabulous animal. He wins, but he dominates. He's a dominant horse."

"Brett told me early on last winter, he said 'you've got a really special one here, I'm gonna tell you,'" added McDuffee.