Northfield: Adios champion Prince Hal Hanover headlines G2 Milstein Memorial

Fresh off a redeeming victory in the Grade 1 $385,000 Delvin Miller Adios at The Meadows, Prince Hal Hanover will lead a loaded field of sophomore pacers in Saturday’s (August 9) Grade 2 $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at MGM Northfield Park.

“I am very pleased with the field for this year’s Carl Milstein Memorial. It is a great mix of top horses from different circuits,” said Director of Racing Operations Dave Bianconi.

Prince Hal Hanover was purchased for $130,000 at the 2023 Lexington Selection Yearling Sale. He had a successful 2-year-old campaign with victories in the Tompkins-Geers at Woodbine Mohawk Park and a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Pocono. He also had runner-up performances in the $740,000 Metro Stakes and $170,200 Nassagaweya Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

As a 3-year-old, Prince Hal Hanover has proven he belongs in the upper echelon of his division.

Following a disappointing effort in the Grade 1 $740,000 Pepsi North America Cup Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the son of Captaintreacherous was given a couple weeks off before a runner-up performance against conditioned company, tuning up for the Meadowlands Pace.

At The Meadowlands, Prince Hal Hanover crossed the wire first in the Grade 1 $656,000 Meadowlands Pace but was deemed to have caused interference with Madden Oaks in the stretch and was placed second.

Following that effort, the connections shipped him to The Meadows for the $385,000 Adios. From post eight he sat off the pace while others set torrid fractions, and he rallied up the passing lane late to win by a head over Swingtown and Twisted Destiny in a career-best 1:48 1/5.

“He came out of the Adios really well,” said trainer Dr. Ian Moore. “We were very impressed with his mile at The Meadows.”

Heading into Saturday’s $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial, Dr. Moore is confident that his colt will be up to the task.

“He will train on Wednesday, but it is all systems go. He has been jogging very well, and we are very happy with him.”

Prince Hal Hanover, who has earned $431,633 as a sophomore, will meet eight other foes on Saturday, including a few familiar faces and some new shooters looking to make a name for themselves in the 3-year-old pacing ranks.

$200,000 MGM Grand Messenger champion Twisted Destiny is one of the colts he will see again. Twisted Destiny’s trainer Chris Ryder won the 2019 Carl Milstein Memorial with the colt’s sire Bettor’s Wish.

Undefeated in 2025, Smooth Dream will be one of the fresh faces awaiting Prince Hal Hanover. With victories in the $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final, $50,000 Homegrown Stakes, $48,000 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund Stakes, and the $31,825 Tompkins-Geers, the talented gelding has earnings of $227,312 this season with a mark of 1:49 2/5.

New York Sire Stakes standout Fast Choice will also look to dethrone Prince Hal Hanover on Saturday, entering with two straight powerhouse victories including a divisional track-record setting performance at Batavia Downs Gaming in his last start. In 2025, he has earned $163,665.

Also competing in the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial are $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Development Fund champion Primo Maschio, eight-time winner this season Odds On Wildfire, $145,000 Ohio State Fair champion and Adios runner-up Swingtown, Ohio Sires Stakes standout Extra Suds, and Ohio State Fair runner-up Rick Wink.

The Carl Milstein Memorial program will have several great wagering opportunities including a $25,000 estimated Pick-4 pool beginning in Race 9, a $10,000 estimated Pick-4 beginning in Race 12, and a $10,000 estimated Super High-5 in Race 13.

The stakes-laden program will feature multiple divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes, the $100,000 Myron Charna President’s Pace, and the $100,000 Tom Aldrich President’s Trot. Total purses are nearly $1.1 million.

Lady Luck’s Clubhouse will also be open on Saturday and will offer a buffet for $27.95. Reservations can be made by calling 330-467-4101.

Post Time on Saturday is 6:00 p.m.

-edited release (By Michael Carter for MGM Northfield Park)