Woodbine Mohawk Park: She's A Great Lady final won by Sylvia Hanover

Elimination winners Sylvia Hanover and Charleston met for the first time in the C$525,000 She's A Great Lady final for 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and it would be Sylvia Hanover who notched the win, holding off her main rival in a final quarter sprint to score in 1:51 4/5.

Charleston (Dexter Dunn) cleared Caviart Davia (Doug McNair) for the top spot passing the 27 2/5 opening quarter, but Sylvia Hanover (Bob McClure) was hot on Dunn's helmet. As is normally the case, Sylvia Hanover had to be asked to quicken and get to the front, but she was able to do so prior to the half, which went on the board in just 56 3/5.

Sylvia Hanover kept the tempo easy on the final bend despite a little first-over pressure from Proud Mary (Tim Tetrick), getting to three-quarters in just 1:25 2/5 and setting up the dash to the wire. Charleston got out early in the stretch and had every chance to get by, but Sylvia Hanover denied her and won by three-quarters of a length. Treacherous Penny (Joe Bongiorno) was up for third, followed by Caviart Davia and Proud Mary.

"She was stretching herself out. I think she could have cleared a little easier," said McClure. "Races like this, you're not going to get anything handed to you, no matter how heavy a favorite you are. Once she got the front, it was pretty much business as usual, she holds them at bay.

"We were pacing hard down the lane. They were pacing with her; there was a lot of fast fillies, but she wasn't letting them get too close."

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A daughter of Always B Miki-Shyaway bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Sylvia Hanover is trained by Shawn Steacy for owner Hudson Standardbred Stable. Sylvia Hanover, a $135,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, has six wins and a second from seven career starts and has now pocketed C$481,425. She paid $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.

"Every start showed more and more, but her first start off of the qualifier where she jumped up to a 51 mile. That was impressive that night for where she was for where she went at that point," said Steacy.

When queried on Sylvia Hanover's upcoming schedule, Steacy said, "I think probably a little R&R and then the Breeders Crown's on the plate, I think."