Northfield: Prince Hal Hanover prevails in Carl Milstein Memorial

Prince Hal Hanover continued his winning ways on Saturday night with a two-move 1:50 1/5 romp in the Grade 2 $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at MGM Northfield Park. Todd McCarthy was in the bike again as the Adios Pace winner survived a blistering 25 4/5 quarter en route to his fourth win of the year.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Prince Hal Hanover left alertly from post two and seated previously-unbeaten sophomore Smooth Dream into the opening bend. Swingtown and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. pursued the lead and got it shortly before the snappy opening quarter, but within a second McCarthy steered the Dr. Ian Moore-trained colt out of the pocket and took control.

Andrew McCarthy had Smooth Dream moving late on the second turn, and Twisted Destiny, the second choice in the wagering latched on to his cover. Prince Hal Hanover got a bit of a breather in the second quarter, hitting the half in 54 3/5 and seemed comfortable with Smooth Dream on his flank. The pair raced as a team, with Prince Hal Hanover under a good hold through three-quarters in 1:22 4/5.

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Dexter Dunn tried to energize Twisted Destiny off his second-over trip on the final turn, but Todd McCarthy spoke to Prince Hal Hanover, and the Captaintreacherous-sired colt took off briskly posting a 27 2/5 final quarter to win by himself. Twisted Destiny rallied for the place with Swingtown winning a nose-to-nose battle with Smooth Dream for the third spot. Fast Choice finished fifth and earned the final purse check.

"It's a real thrill to drive him," said Todd McCarthy.

Prince Hal Hanover is owned by the Prince Hal Hanover Stable. He returned $3.60 to win and upped his seasonal earnings to $581,633 with the lion's share of the purse.

"He's getting better," said Dr. Moore about Prince Hal Hanover. "If all goes well on Monday, we'll enter him for Pocono (Hempt Memorial August 16)."