Northfield: Ken Hanover clocks world record mile in Battle of Lake Erie

The real battle in Saturday night's Grade 2 $200,000 Battle Of Lake Erie for older male pacers at MGM Northfield Park took place heading into the first turn, and winning driver Brett Miller made the decisive move from post three, putting Ken Hanover inside of fast-leaving Desperate Man and Byethemissal, forcing the other two to take back. Miller's quick thinking would allow Ken Hanover to get a perfect pocket trip and pounce on pace-setter Desperate Man to capture the invitational in a world record 1:48 3/5 clocking.

Ken Hanover overtook Dunkin' approaching the opening quarter while Desperate Man and Matt Kakaley had chased from the first turn and cleared just at the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Bythemissal and Chris Page took back on the first turn and elected to race off-the-pace, which allowed Kakaley to shut the pace down during the second quarter, hitting the half in 54 1/5 but bracing for a second half challenge.

Seven Colors and Aaron Merriman, who vacated the pylons on the second turn, moved with purpose through the third quarter, but Desperate Man was up to the task, increasing the pace while Helium N drafted second-over, followed on the outside by Byethemissal and race favorite Mossdale Ben N. With the outer tier having trouble making ground through the third quarter, Helium N attacked three-wide, and Jordan Stratton also attempted a wide move with Mossdale Ben N but took a few bad steps and lost all momentum.

By three-quarters in 1:21, Seven Colors was beginning to tire, and that left plenty of room for Brett Miller to find clearance for Ken Hanover. Once into the homestretch, he moved to the outside and mowed down Desperate Man in handy fashion, winning his fourth Battle Of Lake Erie in the process. Desperate Man held the place spot, with early leader Dunkin' finishing third. Mossdale Ben N regained his composure and closed for fourth with Helium N fifth.

"When I landed in the two-hole I was feeling pretty good," said Brett Miller with a smile in the winner's circle.

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Ken Hanover's 1:48 3/5 clocking was a world record for an older pacing stallion in a half-mile track, knocking a fifth off the previous mark of 1:48 4/5 set by Dancin Yankee at Saratoga on 8-16-14 and Dragon Striker at Northfield on 8-22-20.

Trained by Roland Mallar, Ken Hanover, a 5-year-old by Captaintreacherous and out of the American Ideal-sired K Js Justine, won for the third time in four starts this year and paid $11.20. Owned by Mallar, Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt, Ken Hanover increased his career earnings to $813,904 with the victory.

"He's come back really good. Knock on wood, hopefully the issues he had last year are behind him," said Mallar. "That's a really good bunch of horses he faced tonight. You have to be on your best game on nights like these and he was tonight."

Do It Like Bobbi made a blistering move to the lead past the half and rolled to a monster performance, capturing the $75,000 MGM Buckeye Distaff for Ohio-sired older pacing mares by open lengths in a dazzling 1:50 mile. Dan Noble drove the 6-year-old mare by Downbytheseaside to her third victory and fastest of the season. Do It Like Bobbi is trained by Christi Noble and owned by breeder Stephen Sexton. My Red Sea finished second, with early leader Fearless Ginger third.