Sitting patiently behind torturous fractions, Allywag Hanover ($6.20) had ample energy in the stretch to thread through at the pegs and outlast a late charge from 45-1 outsider Workin Ona Mystery to capture the $350,000 TVG Open Pace on Saturday night (Nov. 20) at The Meadowlands.
After riding the pocket to a runner-up effort to Enavant in last Sunday's (Nov. 14) Potomac Pace at Rosecroft Raceway, Allywag Hanover found himself in a similar spot just off the pace, but took advantage of a longer stretch drive to reclaim victory. The four-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding controlled a :26.3 first quarter before stringing Cattlewash through the third eighth and then being relegated to third as Daniel Dubé brushed even-money choice Enavant to the fore in a punishing :53.1 half mile.
As Enavant maintained his advantage to three-quarters in 1:20.2, Allywag Hanover was locked in by the uncovered Ocean Rock, but found room up the pegs turning for home as Cattlewash took aim from the pocket. The hot pace took its toll on both Enavant and Cattlewash as Todd McCarthy pointed Allywag Hanover through an inside lane and reached the lead just above the sixteenth pole. Allywag Hanover was driven out to the end of a 1:48.1 mile, just holding off Workin Ona Mystery, who cascaded four-wide off cover and flew home to finish second. Catch The Fire finished third.
Brett Pelling trains Allywag Hanover, who now has won 18 times in his career and banked over $1.2 million, for the Allywag Stables.
A LITTLE MORE: Brett Pelling trainees were firing on all cylinders during the card, as Pelling proteges won four times on the night, which included the TVG Mares (with When Dovescry) and TVG Open (Allywag Hanover). Pelling is now very much in the conversation for Trainer of the Year.
Dave Miller and Todd McCarthy led the driver’s colony with three winners apiece.
With a 10th-race total pool of $406,477 serving as the catalyst, a total of $3,390,639 was wagered on the 14-race program, giving The Big M four consecutive weekends of wagering that exceeded the $5-million mark.
Live harness racing resumes Friday (Nov. 26) at 6:20 p.m. (EST).
(The Meadowlands)
The TVG Open Pace was part of a loaded stakes night at The Meadowlands. Read more on the evening’s action in the TVG, Fall Final Four News Centre.