Woodbine Mohawk Park: Allywag Hanover powers away in Canadian Pacing Derby

The connections of Allywag Hanover paid a huge price to supplement to the C$590,000 Canadian Pacing Derby but had no problem recovering their investment and more as the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous romped in the classic race held at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night.

Todd McCarthy was in the bike behind Allywag Hanover, and he sent the even-money choice out hard from post seven as Cattlewash (David Miller) left to his inside, and Catch The Fire, with Scott Zeron, also pursued the early lead. Allywag Hanover had cleared easily in the opening bend and cut the 26 3/5 opening quarter before allowing Catch The Fire to take the lead briefly on the backstretch.

McCarthy was not content with the pocket, and he quickly re-moved the Brett Pelling trainee to the front. From there, he hit the half in 54 3/5, a moderate pace for this class of horse.

David Miller got on the offensive into the last turn with Cattlewash but wasn't able to get on the flank of Allywag Hanover as McCarthy let out a notch. Allywag Hanover crossed three-quarters in 1:22 and opened lengths on his rivals with each stride.

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In the stretch Allywag Hanover's lead grew as Catch The Fire pursued at a distance, and This Is The Plan, with Yannick Gingras, struggled to find a clear path for much of the length of the stretch. With a 27 second flat final quarter, Allywag Hanover won for the fourth time in his last five starts and picked up the richest victory of his career. Catch The Fire held on to the place, while This Is The Plan finished third.

Owned by Allywag Stable, Allywag Hanover has now won seven of his 14 starts this year. As the favorite, he returned $4.20 to win.

"This (the victory) is far from my wildest dreams," said McCarthy of the win that came just over a year after arriving in North America to drive permanently. "I was lucky to pick up the drive at the right time."