Red Mile: Hannelore Hanover makes history in Allerage Farms Open Trot

Hannelore Hanover is now the fastest trotting mare in harness racing history after taking the $136,000 Allerage Farms Open Trot on Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile in 1:49 2/5. That was also the second-fastest trotting mile ever, only trailing Sebastian K's 1:49 mark at Pocono.

The big mile was helped by a hot pace established by 81-1 longhost I Know My Chip (Sam Widger). Starting from post nine, he battled with rail starter Crazy Wow (Matt Kakaley) to a wicked 25 3/5 opening quarter, and the tempo stayed quick in the second quarter as the half went on the board in 53 2/5.

I Know My Chip had trotted all he could entering the far turn, and Kakaley sent Crazy Wow out of the pocket to get the lead. Hannelore Hanover (Yannick Gingras) tracked Crazy Wow's move from second-over to the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, then readied for the historic stretch drive.

In the lane Hannelore Hanover took over from Crazy Wow, and she was only racing the teletimer from there as she beat Homicide Hunter (Brett Miller) comfortably in the world record performance. Pinkman (Brian Sears) was the third-place finisher, and Crazy Wow wound up third.

"Around the last turn they were trotting still pretty strong, but she felt so strong in the lines," remarked Gingras. "I knew she was going to come home a huge quarter. I had good horses behind me, but like I've said all along when she's the Hannelore that I know she can be, she's the best in North America anyway.

"We took the shoes off for the first time, and she definitely took to that. Coming to the wire I knew it was going under 1:50. She was trotting through the stretch real strong, so I was just waiting to see where the clock was going to stop. 1:49 2/5 is definitely a great achievement for the mare, and she deserves it."

Hannelore Hanover, a 5-year-old daughter of Swan For All, is trained by Ron Burke for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and J And T Silva Stables LLC. This was Hannelore Hanover's 33rd career victory, and she has now earned $2,086,439. The even-money favorite, Hannelore Hanover paid $4.00 to win.