Pocono: Darlene Hanover honors Keller's memory in Delmonica Hanover

Darlene Hanover scored an emotional win in Saturday's (Aug. 21) $250,000 Delmonica Hanover Stakes for 3-year-old female trotters, winning by three lengths over Flawless Country in 1:51 4/5 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. You Ato Dream finished third.

The victory came eight days after the passing of Hall of Famer Charlie Keller III, who was among the filly's Yankeeland Partners ownership group.

In the Delmonica Hanover, Darlene Hanover was fifth at the half-mile point before using a first-over march to eventually take the top spot from even-money favorite You Ato Dream in the stretch. Mazzarati had led to the quarter in 26 3/5 before You Ato Dream took over and set fractions of 55 and 1:23 4/5.

The final time was one-fifth of a second off the track record for a 3-year-old filly trotter.

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Todd McCarthy drove Darlene Hanover for trainer/co-owner Brett Bittle, who is Keller's nephew.

"This win obviously meant a lot today," McCarthy said. "I'm sure we might have had a little bit of help from above. Brett is super to drive for. Full credit to him, he had the horse spot on today and made my job real easy.

"The way the race panned out, there were a couple moves (early), and I figured we'd be slowing down a little from the half, so it was a good time to pull her. She's raced like that before. She's got a lot of heart, that filly, and she showed it today."

Darlene Hanover, a daughter of Chapter Seven out of Danielle Hanover, has won two of seven races this year and six of 15 in her career. She has earned $481,462. The filly was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Sent off at 5-1, Darlene Hanover paid $13.00 to win.

$125,000 DELMONICA HANOVER CONSOLATION

In the $125,000 Delmonica Hanover consolation, Dazzling Reign rallied in the stretch following a circuitous trip from mid-pack on the backstretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Aunt Irene in 1:55 1/5. Above The Clouds finished third. Dazzling Reign (Father Patrick-Broadway Chuckles) was driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Claude Huckabone III. The filly is owned by James Crawford IV and was bred by Red Well Stables. She has won five of nine races this year and six of 16 starts in her career, earning $125,749.