Pocono: Burke brings old and new to the Crown elimination party

Ron Burke is hoping he has turned things around for defending Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover and she returns to defend her Breeders Crown title in one of two Open Trot elimination races Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

“There really wasn’t anything wrong with the way she was training,” said Burke on Tuesday, “But we brought her home to The Meadows and I’ve been able to sit behind her for the last few weeks.”

Burke’s confidence in entering Hannelore Hanover despite the 6-year-old not having a competitive race since a fifth-place finish at Hoosier Park on September 21, is not surprising. Burke has consistently been able to prepare his horses for the big-time without races in between. “To be honest, we paid her into the Open race and I don’t think it’s any tougher than the mare race and it goes for more money,” said Burke.

Hannelore Hanover drew post two in the six-horse second $25,000 elimination heat going as the last of 14 races on Saturday night. Yannick Gingras will pilot the mare looking to break a five-race losing streak. Hannelore Hanover won her first six races this season.

Despite Burke’s claim, the small field certainly has a high degree of talent including recent world champion Homicide Hunter (post 4), last Saturday’s Harry Harvey Invitational winner Warrawee Roo (post 6), along with Yonkers International starter Will Take Charge (post 1).

Burke is hopeful that the recent success of Impinktoo will continue in the Breeders Crown. The sophomore trotting filly set a world record of 1:49 4/5 at The Red Mile on October 6, her fourth straight victory. In that streak was a last-to-first victory in the $275,000 Ohio Sire Stakes championship at Scioto.

“I’m very happy with the way she’s been racing,” said Burke. “It’s a step up and I’m excited to see what she can do against this caliber.”

Impinktoo drew post six in in race six, the first of two $25,000 eliminations for the filly trotting set on Saturday.

“I’m glad she drew into the easier division,” said Burke, well aware that Manchego, Atlanta and Phaetosive all landed in the second division.

“Hopefully we’ll get into the final,” Burke said.

Impinktoo, a recent Lexington Mixed Sale purchase by Herb Liverman, gets Brian Sears in the bike and will meet up with Plunge Blue Chip (post 3), a two-time world record equaling filly this year with 1:49 4/5 miles at The Meadowlands and The Red Mile among her seven seasonal wins. Ake Svanstedt trains and drives Plunge Blue Chip, the New York Sire Stakes champion.

While the stable has plenty of male sophomore pacers to go around, Burke’s team recently acquired a pair of top-class performers and both will take a chance at capturing the Crown.

This Is The Plan drew post seven in the second of three Crown eliminations. “He got a little wild on the front end,” said Burke of the first trip for his stable, a fourth-place finish after setting the fractions in the Tattersalls at The Red Mile on October 7. “I like the horse and I think he’ll be better on Saturday,” Burke said.

This Is The Plan faces a solid field that includes Jug and Meadowlands Pace champion Courtly Choice (post 4) and Tattersalls division winner American History (post 3).

Done Well also made his first appearance for Burke at The Red Mile and finished third in his Tattersalls division behind American History.

“I thought he raced great,” said Burke of that start. “He was locked in and if he had gotten through sooner I think he could’ve won.”

While Done Well comes into the Breeders Crown in good shape, Burke was well aware of what’s inside. “I wish he’d drawn inside. I’m not happy with post six, but he’s going to have to show up regardless.”

What Burke saw inside is good reason for concern as Stay Hungry (post 2), who captured the Cane and Messenger Stakes already this year, and supplemental entry Lather Up (post 5), a winner of the North America Cup, are solid contenders for the final.

Burke will race another new acquisition, Sonnet Grace, in Friday’s Breeders Crown juvenile filly trot elimination. “She’s got speed and we’ve got to work to control that,” said Burke of the filly who meets undefeated Woodside Charm.