Woodbine Mohawk Park: Loua Dipa outduels Be Perfect BG in Fan Hanover final

The C$420,000 Grade 1 Fan Hanover for 3-year-old filly pacers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park looked like a match race on paper and turned into one as undefeated Be Perfect BG cut the pace and Breeders Crown champion Loua Dipa followed her from the pocket for the final three-quarters. In a wicked stretch drive Loua Dipa and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. edged by to the inside, scoring in a stake, track and Canadian record 1:48 1/5 mile.

Wrenn Jr. pushed to the front quickly from post three with Loua Dipa, a homebred daughter of Sweet Lou trained by Ron Burke. Loua Dipa parked the 3-5 favorite Be Perfect BG to the quarter in 26 3/5 and yielded. Dexter Dunn had Be Perfect BG in control, and she marched to the half in a rated 54 2/5, but then picked up the pace as Perfect Thought and James MacDonald rallied up strongly without cover, towing Jen Tilly and Gala into the action in the third quarter.

Be Perfect BG hit three-quarters in 1:21 2/5, and Dunn turned the daughter of Perfect Sting loose for the final quarter sprint. Perfect Thought stayed in contention, but Loua Dipa and Wrenn Jr. found room to the inside along the pylons and started to narrow the margin. Only in the final yards was Loua Dipa able to secure the victory. Be Perfect BG finished second, losing for the first time in her 10 career starts but fighting right to the wire. Perfect Thought had a brilliant effort and held the show.

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Loua Dipa is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, who also bred the filly. She's now an 11-time winner in 16 career starts. As the second choice, Loua Dipa paid $4.40 to win.

"I got lucky, shook loose late. She's a true champion," said Wrenn Jr. of Loua Dipa.