Red Mile: Allywag Hanover hauls down Bulldog Hanover in Allerage Open Pace

All eyes were on Bulldog Hanover, and rightly so, coming into Sunday's $153,000 Allerage Farms Open Pace at The Red Mile, but Allywag Hanover, 2021's top older pacer in the sport, reminded everybody what he's capable of when he gets a clean trip, as he sat in the pocket and fired by the fastest Standardbred of all-time to win in 1:46 flat, the fastest clocking for a gelding in harness racing history.

Starting from the pole position, driver Todd McCarthy shot out quickly with Allywag Hanover and made Bulldog Hanover and Dexter Dunn work to clear him beyond a 26 2/5 opening quarter. Bulldog Hanover then went into lights-on and horn- blowing in pursuit of lowering his own world record, zipping through a half in 52 2/5 and a three-quarters in 1:19 1/5, but never shaking loose from Allywag Hanover.

Coming off the final bend McCarthy sent Allywag Hanover to the outside, and after a bit of a duel, he was able to get by Bulldog Hanover in mid-stretch before kicking clear to prevail by over a length. Workin On A Mystery (David Miller) finished third, followed by My Pal Joe (Brian Sears) and Abuckabett Hanover (Tim Tetrick).

"I thought he had a shot. Bulldog is so impressive and he has been all the way through. To get by him, it's no easy feat. I thought today we had the right horse and the right draw and fortunately things went our way," said McCarthy. "He swelled right up and he felt like he had a lot of go. I didn't want to count my cards too early until I pulled. Like I said, Bulldog, he doesn't ever want to let them pass him. It worked out perfect for us today.

"It's pretty special. They're all special in their own right, these kinds of races, but especially with this horse. I moved over here and I was fortunate enough to pick him up. We've just had such a great relationship . Full credit to Brett [trainer Brett Pelling], he's done such a great job looking after him there. He's a horse that I really look forward to every time we get to drive him. It's a lot of fun."

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Pelling trains Allywag Hanover, a 5-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, for owner Allywag Stable. Allywag Hanover posted his 23rd career victory, and he has now pocketed $1,545,280. The 10-1 second choice, Allywag Hanover paid $23.82 to win.

"He had a few weeks off during the summer, and he's actually had two races at Hoosier and at Dayton there where he was locked-in for his life and loaded. If ever a horse was sitting on one, it's after those kind of trips," remarked Pelling. "He swims a bit, he really doesn't do a lot. He's a pretty naturally fit horse. There's not a lot of him, but he's light on the ground. We know he can follow any speed. He was just sensational today."

Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm spoke for the ownership group and stated, "I feel like Mary Lou Whitney after the 2004 Belmont having to apologize to the crowd, but we were told he was coming in ready to do this, and it was pretty exciting. He had the perfect trip and it set up perfectly for him. Todd, masterful drive, Brett, masterful training job. We're just thrilled to be here."