Woodbine Mohawk Park: Ervin Hanover conquers in Gold Cup Invitational

Ervin Hanover never saw the pylons but surged late to win Saturday night's C$100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational for older male pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:48 2/5.

Driven by Dexter Dunn, Ervin Hanover floated away from post nine but couldn't find a hole. He eventually wound up third-over behind Prince Hal Hanover (Todd McCarthy) and Calicojack Hanover (Bob McClure), as the outer flow advanced toward Lou Hill (Doug McNair), the leader through fractions of 25 4/5, 54 2/5 and 1:21 2/5.

Lou Hill was able to fend off Prince Hal Hanover through the stretch and looked like he was on his way to victory, but Ervin Hanover had other ideas, as he paced a 26 1/5 quarter despite the two-wide journey to down Lou Hill by half a length. Prince Hal Hanover, Calicojack Hanover and Bythemissal (Yannick Gingras) rounded out the top five.

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Dave Menary trains Ervin Hanover, a 6-year-old Captaintreacherous stallion, for owner Pollack Racing LLC. He has a record of 28-8-9 from 77 outings, has banked C$1,751,996 and paid $4.10 to win.

Saturday night's undercard of the Pepsi North America Cup also had a C$65,000 free for all trot that was won by defending U.S. Trotter of the Year Lexus Kody (Gingras) from second-over in 1:50 4/5. It was the 38th lifetime win for Lexus Kody, an 8-year-old Archangel gelding trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Phil Collura. Lexus Kody has also now earned over C$2.6 million.