Woodbine Mohawk Park: Abuckabett Hanover strolls in Simcoe Stakes
Abuckabett Hanover won for the first time since his Adios elimination back in July and did it in style, romping to a 1:49 1/5 decision in the C$176,815 Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Lancaster Bomber (Dexter Dunn) shot to the point from post six in a 26 4/5 opening quarter but then yielded to sit behind Bettor Sun (Doug McNair) after that marker. In the backstretch, driver Louis-Philippe Roy brought 30-1 Highlandbeachsbest to the outside from fifth, and he moved up quickly with Abuckabett Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) right on his helmet in the second-over position.
Highlandbeachsbest forged his way by Bettor Sun past the 54 4/5 half, but he was immediately challenged by Abuckabett Hanover. Abuckabett Hanover was able to wear down and then pass Highlandbeachsbest before the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters, then set sail in a 27 second final kicker, widening out to defeat Pirate Hanover (Jody Jamieson) by 4 1/2 lengths. Bettor Sun wound up third.
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"He definitely needed that tonight. He's had a lot of bad luck. He kind of got taken out in the Meadowlands Pace, and then things just haven't gone right since. He knows what his job is, and I think a nice win like that tonight will definitely do him some good.
"It comes down to post position, and in the North America Cup, I wish I read that race a little better. I thought there would be a lot more action to the half, and it didn't happen. I guess I should have left in there, but that's just the way it goes. Obviously I had an impossible spot, but he has been terrific. Hopefully he can move forward now."
Tony Alagna trains Abuckabett Hanover, a Betting Line colt bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Alagna Racing LLC., Jablonsky Held Stable, and Barbera N Wienick Stable. This was his tenth career victory, and he has now earned C$432,072. He was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.