Tioga: Guardian Angel AS, Moonshiner Hanover prevail in Graduate Trot events

Guardian Angel AS and Moonshiner Hanover posted their first wins in Graduate Series action this year as the preliminary rounds for 4-year-old trotters concluded on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

In the first $50,000 grouping Fraser Ridge (David Miller) had command through panels of 28, 56 2/5, and 1:24, but Guardian Angel AS (Tim Tetrick), who had been stuck second-over on non-advancing cover in the backstretch, came with a three-wide rush and overhauled the pace-setter on his way to a 1:52 4/5 win. Guardian Angel AS defeated Lord Cromwell (Jim Marohn Jr.) by 3 3/4 lengths, with Fraser Ridge back in third.

"I did drive him in the Kentucky Futurity last year, and he has some talent," said Tetrick. "He got a little sore late last year, but he's come back really good. I watched his replays and talked to Elliott (Deaton) that drove him (in his qualifiers and first start at Hoosier), and they said he's come back really good, way smarter and stronger than he was last year. He did that really easy today.

"I was cussing myself at the quarter pretty good when they only went 28. I should have been a little closer, but it was his second start of the year and he's missed a couple weeks so I just took what they gave me. Around the last turn he went three-deep, and he finished off his mile really well. He's very athletic and I never pulled his plugs at all today. I had him put away from the top of the lane home. He's a good horse."

Guardian Angel AS is a son of Archangel trained by Anette Lorentzon for co-owner/breeder ACL Stuteri AB and co-owner Kjell Johansson. This was his 11th career victory, and he has now earned $305,280. He was the 9-5 second choice and paid $5.90 to win.

The other split saw a big upset as Moonshiner Hanover (D. Miller), dispatched at 24-1, prevailed in 1:53 1/5. After getting away in the two-hole from post three, Moonshiner Hanover followed Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller) to the 28 second opening quarter, the 57 2/5 half, and the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters. Moonshiner Hanover vacated the pocket on the final bend, took command in the lane, and pulled clear to win by a pair of lengths at the wire. Bill's Man (Corey Callahan) charged from fifth to second in the final quarter, and Top Flight Angel faded to third.

"He was real sharp there a few starts back," remarked David Miller. "The race at the Meadowlands (first leg of the Graduate) he actually was a ;ittle sick they said and last week (second leg of the Graduate) he got locked in. I think the horse is competitive with these horses. In with this group here he's probably better out of a hole, but he can race either way. He liked that trip I gave him today."

Trainer Chris Beaver also co-owns Moonshiner Hanover, a son of Andover Hall, with partners Synerco Ventures Inc. and Bill Manes. Moonshiner Hanover is now a seven-time winner in his life, and he has banked $459,732. He returned $51.50 to win after the upset victory.

The Graduate Series for 2018 will conclude with the finals on July 7 at the Meadowlands.