Woodbine Mohawk Park: Its A Love Thing powers to Fan Hanover triumph

Its A Love Thing and driver James MacDonald came a long way without cover, but in the end overpowered a stellar field to capture Saturday's C$425,000 Fan Hanover Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a track, stakes and race record 1:48 2/5 mile.

MacDonald had the pole position, and that sometimes is difficult to navigate over the Mohawk surface, but Its A Love Thing was able to get away fifth in the early stages as Odds On Platinum and Sylvain Filion were first to gain control, followed by My Girl EJ and Dexter Dunn, who crossed the quarter in front in 26 3/5. Tim Tetrick had intentionally gotten looped by My Girl EJ, and he drove to the front with favored Geocentric past the quarter.

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Geocentric had the lead at the half in 54 4/5, and MacDonald sent Its A Love Thing on the attack shortly thereafter, providing an ideal cover trip to Caviart Belle and Yannick Gingras. The pace picked up in the third quarter with Geocentric clinging to a short lead in 1:22 at three-quarters, but the Dave Menary-trained Its A Love Thing shifted into high gear and quickly disposed the pace-setter, then distanced herself from the covered Caviart Belle. With a 26 2/5 final quarter, Its A Love Thing was dominant to the wire, holding Caviart Belle off with ease. My Girl EJ had clearance in mid-stretch but was only able to salvage a third-place finish. Canigetalouploup and David Miller rallied for fourth, with Odds On Platinum earning the final check.

"I'm really proud of her," said MacDonald in the winner's circle. "I'm happy she was able to overcome a bad trip."

Owned by Eric Good, Thomas Biederman, Joshua Green and Rich Lombardo Racing, It's A Love Thing won for the third time in five starts this year and returned $10 to win.