Pocono: Bond turns the tables on Heaven Hanover in the Delmonica Hanover

In a reversal of the exacta in the Hambletonian Oaks two weeks ago, Bond got the better of Heaven Hanover in the $250,000 Delmonica Hanover for 3-year-old filly trotters on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, scoring in 1:52 1/5 for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt.

Svanstedt sent Bond away quickly from post five but Heaven Hanover (Tim Tetrick) also gunned out from one slot to the inside, and Svanstedt was willing to let Heaven Hanover go and sit in the pocket past the 26 3/5 opening quarter. After Heaven Hanover got to the point, Tetrick slammed on the brakes in the second quarter and got to the half in just 56 seconds as Quick Stop (Scott Zeron) began a first-over move out of fifth.

The tempo increased to 1:23 4/5 at three-quarters, and with Quick Stop's bid stalled out in a joint second at that marker, the stage was set for a match race in the stretch between Heaven Hanover and Bond. Heaven Hanover trotted into the lane first and then dug in gamely when asked by Tetrick, but Bond kicked home strongly in the passing lane and was able to get past Heaven Hanover in time to prevail by a head. Quick Stop held third over Blonde Bombshell (David Miller).

"A good horse came on the outside, so that was a nice horse to sit behind," said Svanstedt. "I drove her bad two times (losses in her Del Miller Memorial division and her Hambletonian Oaks elimination), but now I think I've driven her better the last two races. I'm happy with her."

Kaddari (Brian Sears), a 25-1 offering, went on a speed mission in the $125,000 consolation I, blasting to the engine from post five and carving out fractions of 26 4/5, 55 2/5 and 1:23 4/5. Heart On Fire (Todd McCarthy) went two-wide from the pocket past three-quarters and wrestled the top spot away from Kaddari late on the final bend, but 12-1 shot The Wise One (Zeron), who got away sixth and then took advantage of breaks by others to improve position, angled off the cones on the far turn and then rallied three-wide in the stretch to a 1:54 1/5 victory. Heart On Fire, the 9-5 favorite, had to settle for second, two lengths behind The Wise One, and Bella Macchiato (Dexter Dunn) got third.

A homebred for Moni Maker Stable, the victorious Muscle Hill filly is trained by Domenico Cecere. This was her sixth career victory, she has now banked $172,475 and she returned $26.00 to win.

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In the $75,000 consolation II, Pure Hope S (Svanstedt) led at the 27 2/5 opening quarter, then let stablemate Wild Jiggy S (Dexter Dunn) clear going to the 56 1/5 half. Wild Jiggy S maintained command through three-quarters in 1:24 4/5 but was worn down on the final bend by a first-over attack from Check Her Out (McCarthy), with Pure Hope S angling out on the turn as well.

Check Her Out had the jump on them turning for home, but Pure Hope S hit top gear in the lane and was able to get by Check Her Out rather easily to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:54 1/5. Check Her Out held second over Lie In Wait (Tetrick).

Svanstedt also trains Pure Hope S, a daughter of Brillantissime bred by Marko Kreivi, for owner Soderberg Bloodstock LLC. This was her fifth win in her 14th lifetime start, she has now earned $122,775 and she paid $2.80 to win as the 2-5 favorite.