Mohawk: Hannelore Hanover rebounds with Miss Versatility win

Hannelore Hanover may have come up a half-length short in her 2017 debut in the Miami Valley Distaff on May 7, but she was right back on track with a dominating effort on Monday night (May 22) at Mohawk in 1:52 4/5.

Starting from post seven in the first leg of the multi-track Miss Versatility series, Hannelore Hanover was parked for the opening quarter before finding a seat mid-pack to relax. Driver Yannick Gingras watched from that spot as Emoticon Hanover made two moves to the front through fractions of 27 1/5 and 56 3/5.

With positions established for all the players, Hannelore Hanover edged off the cones at the half and brushed to the front in the 28-second third quarter. From there the race was for place as the 5-year-old Ron Burke trainee opened up with Gingras sitting motionless in the bike.

Emoticon Hanover would hold second easily enough as Barn Girl split foes late for third ahead of Oho Diamond.

“They all get beat at some point, for her it was her first start,” said Gingras looking back on the Miami Valley loss.

“I tried to take it easy with her as much as I could; they were mixing it up pretty good on the front,” said Gingras, who added that an equipment change to a blind bridle had him somewhat concerned. “I thought she would be more grabby but she was easy to drive.”

Hannelore Hanover ($2.40 to win) is fresh off Older Trotting Mare of the Year honors for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and J&T Silva Stables. Her next stakes engagement is expected to be the Armbro Flight in three weeks at Mohawk.