Scioto: Ervin Hanover delivers in Grade 2 Jim Ewart Memorial

Finishing just two ticks off the track record, Ervin Hanover and Louis Roy took the $250,000 Grade 2 Jim Ewart Memorial Pace in 1:47 2/5 Saturday (September 6) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

Ervin Hanvoer got away fourth from post five as Little Rocket Man (Jeremy Smith) took the early lead going towards the 26 second opening quarter. Captain Albano (Todd McCarthy) was already on the move and settled on the lead before taking the field towards the 52 4/5 half. After ending up second-over behind Women Layer (Dexter Dunn), Ervin Hanover stalked the leaders heading to the 1:19 4/5 three-quarters. Coming down the stretch, it was a three-way battle for the lead with Ervin Hanover victorious by a short neck over Captain Albano; Women Layer was third.

"He doesn’t get off the car when he's right on it," said Roy in the winner's circle interview with Jenna Otten. "Todd did a great job opening up on us a bit when we hit the stretch, when he saw I had to go three-wide; there was still a lot of work to do for my horse, but he’s just so brave and does a great job."

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Ervin Hanover, fresh off a second place in the Canadian Pacing Derby for trainer Dave Menary and owner Pollack Racing, now has 22 lifetime wins in 70 starts and $846,410 in earnings. A 5-year-old stallion by Captaintreacherous and out of the Well Said mare Eloquent Grace, Ervin Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

This was the second Ewart victory for Roy, who won in 2023 with Dr. Ian Moore's Tattoo Artist in 1:48 2/5.

Named after Jim Ewart, who served at the Scioto Downs race secretary for 26 years, 2025 marked the 12th annual edition of the race. Always B Miki and Brett Miller won the Ewart back in 2016 in 1:47, setting the all-age track record.

--press release (Scioto)--