Looking Hanover Upsets in Aged Trot ‘National’

CRETE, IL— Looking Hanover came back to upset in the $143,000 aged trot American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Lucky Jim finished second, Hot Shot Blue Chip was third and Flex The Muscle finished fourth.

Looking Hanover, Flex The Muscle and Lucky Jim all left the gate with speed. Looking Hanover cleared the lead into the first turn. Flex The Muscle was in second and Lucky Jim was in third. Lucky Jim came first over at the quarter in :30.2.

Lucky Jim cleared the lead at the three-eighths. Looking Hanover was in second, Flex The Muscle was in third and Abc Mercedes came first over in fourth. Lucky Jim lead them by the half in :58.1 (:27.4).

Lucky Jim had the lead into the far turn. Abc Mercedes was right next to him in second and Looking Hanover was buried at the rail in third. Hot Shot Blue Chip was second over in fourth. Lucky Jim lead them by three-quarters in 1:26.2 (:28.1).

Lucky Jim lead the way into the stretch. Hot Shot Blue Chip came off cover and Flex The Muscle came up the inside. Abc Mercedes was fading and Looking Hanover circled onto the outside. Hot Shot Blue Chip was closing and Flex The Muscle was pulling back. Looking Hanover came right by Lucky Jim to win by a nose. Hot Shot Blue Chip finished third and Flex The Muscle was fourth.

Looking Hanover is a six-year-old gelding by Muscles Yankee out of the mare Lady Bar by Malabar Man. He has earned $700,836 lifetime. He is owned by Dawn Marie Gannon and Yannick Gingras, trained by Edwin Gannon Jr. and Yannick Gingras was in the sulky to win in 1:56.