Pocono: Allywag Hanover defends crown in Always B Miki Invitational

Allywag Hanover won the $100,000 Always B Miki Invitational for older pacers for the second straight year, taking's Saturday's edition of the event at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:48 2/5.

Driven by Todd McCarthy, Allywag Hanover pocketed up from post four and watched American Courage (Matt Kakaley) and Ruthless Hanover (Andy McCarthy) battle on the front-end through stations of 25 2/5, 54, and 1:21 2/5. American Courage put Ruthless Hanover away after three-quarters and kept the top spot into the lane, but McCarthy brought Allywag Hanover to the outside at the top of the stretch, and he was able to out-foot American Courage to the wire, prevailing by a length. Casual Cool (Jim Pantaleano) turned a ground-saving trip into a third-place finish at 44-1

"He was awesome. The trip worked out for us. We were able to get a good little suck-along, and shake loose at the top of the stretch," said Todd McCarthy. "That was a quick mile for the day, and he really dug when he had to.

"It's taken a few runs to tighten up and come back this year, but today he felt as good as he ever has. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year."

Brett Pelling trains Allywag Hanover, a 5-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, for owner Allywag Stable. Allywag Hanover picked up his 21st lifetime win, he has now banked $1,314,780, and he returned $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

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"There was definitely a lot of speed in the race. There was a lot of speed in the program. I wasn't too sure how it was going to shake out. I didn't really expect [Ruthless Hanover] to be out there like he was, but it did work out good for us," stated Pelling. "Allywag loves that trip. He'll be happy three back on the fence. He loves to shoot a gap, and he really prefers actually to race that way. He's got such quick speed and he's light on his feet and everything that that is really his preferred style. He has high speed and follows high speed.

"We'll probably get an Open at the Meadowlands for him if we can, but he's in races out at Dayton, Hoosier Park, Red Mile. You'll see plenty of him from now on in."