Red Mile: Favored fillies score in Glen Garnsey Memorial

On paper it looked like Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh were standouts in the $115,000 divisions of the Glen Garnsey Memorial for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile, and it shook out that way on the track, too, as both got the job done.

Sylvia Hanover (Bob McClure) was first to the track in the opening section, and she was positioned third as McSeaside (Dexter Dunn) had the lead through a sensible opening-half of 27 2/5 and 56 2/5. McClure sent Sylvia Hanover first-up on the final bend, and although it took her a bit to get into top gear like usual, she was able to reach McSeaside past the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters. In the lane it was all Sylvia Hanover as she went by McSeaside, then opened up on her rivals to the wire, scoring by a pair of lengths over pocket-sitter Sweet Amira (Louis-Philippe Roy) in 1:49 4/5. Always B Naughty (Andy McCarthy) got up for third.

"She's just a very deep horse, a very fast horse, and a very special horse," remarked McClure. "She seems to like chasing horses. She knows her job and loves her job. If she stays healthy it's just going to be a fun ride."

Mark Steacy trains Sylvia Hanover, a daughter of Always B Miki bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, for owners Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. Sylvia Hanover has a summary of 17-2-0 from 20 attempts, has put away $1,137,274, and returned $2.10 to win.

"She takes care of herself. She's pretty laid back to the point where we kind of worry about it," Steacy said. "She's so easy on herself that she just keeps herself good."

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In the other grouping Strong Poison (Yannick Gingras) zipped to the lead from post five, but Twin B Joe Fresh (Dunn) was also involved to her outside, and Twin B Joe Fresh hit the front beyond the 28 1/5 opening quarter. Twin B Joe Fresh would be unchallenged to the 55 4/5 half and the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, and then opened up a gap on Strong Poison in the lane. Dunn wrapped up his filly inside the final eighth, which allowed Strong Poison to close late, but the result was never in doubt, as Twin B Joe Fresh hit the wire a measured length in front in a 1:49 2/5 performance. Hungry For Love (Todd McCarthy) grabbed third.

"I was waiting to see what was going to happen. She's been pretty good out of a hole, so I was sort of aiming at that, but Yannick was heading towards the front and he didn't want to be there," Dunn stated. "She's such a versatile filly that she gives me options. I just was going with the flow really and just making my mind up as the race unfolded."

Trainer Chris Ryder also co-owns Twin B Joe Fresh, a daughter of Roll With Joe bred by Brittany Farms, with Dunn and their partners Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. This was her 17th win from 23 lifetime starts, she has now earned $1,281,678 and she paid $2.14 to win as the 1-9 favorite.