Pocono: Tall Drink Hanover wins Breeders Crown battle in 2-Year-Old Filly Pace

Warrawee Ubeaut, the fastest 2-year-old pacer in history, met up with Tall Drink Hanover, the She’s A Great Lady winner, and the result was a thrilling backstretch and final turn battle in the second of two Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-old filly pacers on Friday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Zero Tolerance made her way to the front at the 26 4/5 opening quarter around Money Shot Hanover as Tall Drink Hanover began her move to the lead soon after. With Andrew McCarthy in tow, Tall Drink Hanover would control the pace with a soft 29 3/5 second quarter as the favored world record holder Warrawee Ubeaut pulled from fifth and began her charge towards the leader.

It was the classic match-up we’ve seen time and again in 2018 as first-crop sires Captaintreacherous (Tall Drink Hanover) and Sweet Lou (Warrawee Ubeaut) did battle in a 26 2/5 third quarter as Zero Tolerance loomed a serious threat in the pocket.

When straightened away in the lane, Warrawee Ubeaut began to tire and Tall Drink Hanover had a new foe to contend with up the inside in Zero Tolerance, but she refused to give way and dug in for a narrow win in a solid 1:51 3/5.

Beautyonthebeach raced uncovered and got third just ahead of fellow finalist Warrawee Ubeaut.

“She felt really strong. I knew we were going fast, but I didn’t want to give it up right there,” said McCarthy. “She’s had a couple of weeks since she last raced and I’m sure that this mile will help her next week.”

Tall Drink Hanover ($7.80), now seven-for-10 in her career, is owned by Alagna Racing LLC., Marvin Katz and Riverview Racing. Tony Alagna trains the Hanover Shoe Farms-bred from the mare Take Into Account (The Panderosa).

The first division saw St Somewhere ($5.20) rate the half and march down the road for the win in 1:52 2/5.

Queen of The Pride was fastest off the wings of the gate but made a break and needed to be wrangled back into third. That left a clear path for Sylph Hanover to make the front in a 27 1/5 opening quarter ahead of Annie Hill.

While the action was occurring near the front, St Somewhere was sent to the rim and began her move for driver Yannick Gingras. The pair would take over around the three-eighths and cruise through the middle-half with fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:24 2/5 as Queen Of The Pride did her best to stay pacing and mount a charge.

St Somewhere’s lead was secure in the stretch, and she dug in nicely to fend off the pylon-skimming Annie Hill by three-quarters of a length and a game Queen Of The Pride in third. Prescient Beauty swung widest from last on the final turn to finish fourth and secured a spot in the final along with Treacherous Reign, who was the richer fifth-place finisher from the two eliminations.

Burke Racing Stable, Phil Collura, J&T Silva, Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi own the daughter of American Ideal who was bred by Crawford Farms. The victory was St Somewhere’s fifth in 12 starts this year for trainer Ron Burke.

Here is how the fillies will line up for next Saturday night's final:

1-Beautyonthebeach
2-St Somewhere
3-Tall Drink Hanover
4-Warrawee Ubeaut
5-Queen Of The Pride
6-Treacherous Reign
7-Zero Tolerance
8-Prescient Beauty
9-Annie Hill
AE1-Renaissance Lady K
AE2-Sylph Hanover