Westwardho Hanover Wins in Close Finish

TORONTO, ON— Westwardho Hanover narrowly held on to win the sophomore colt pace Breeders Crown elimination. Alsace Hanover finished second, Roll With Joe was third, Mystician was fourth and Oddyseus Bluechip was fifth. These five proceed to next week’s final.

Custard The Dragon went for the top, with Westwardho Hanover sitting in second and Roll With Joe parked on the outside in third. Rollwithitharry was at the rail in fourth. Custard The Dragon took them by the quarter in :26.1.

Roll With Joe cleared the lead by the half in :53.4 (:27.2). Custard The Dragon gave way into second and Westwardho Hanover came first over in third. Rollwithitharry was at the inside in fourth. Mystician came second over and Powerful Mist came third over.

Westwardho Hanover cleared the lead approaching three-quarters. Mystician was on the outside in second and Roll With Joe was at the rail in third. Powerful Mist was circling out three wide. Alsace Hanover was starting a rally in the back of the field. Westwardho Hanover took them by three-quarters in 1:21.4 (:28).

Westwardho Hanover lead the way into the stretch. Custard The Dragon and Rollwithitharry were fading at the inside. Powerful Mist was trying to close and Alsace Hanover was charging like a train down the middle of the racetrack. Roll With Joe was trying to get through at the inside, but it was Westwardho Hanover to win by ½ length. Alsace Hanover finished second, Roll With Joe finished third, Mystician finished fourth and Odysseus Bluechip was fifth.

Westwardho Hanover is by Dragon Again out of the mare Western Duel by Western Hanover. He has earned $223,457 in his lifetime. He is owned by Westward Ho Stable and bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. He is trained by Ron Burke and Dave Palone was in the bike.

“He was a bit of an underachiever. He has gotten better each week for Ron,” driver Dave Palone said. “I was going to race this horse either on the lead or first over. My horse only does what he has to, I thought I might have enough to hold on,” he added.