May 11, 2013
Mickey Hanover came from behind late to score a victory Saturday night in the featured Preferred pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Leaving from post position #5 in a field of six as the 5-2 second choice on the board, Mickey Hanover was wisely held off a scorching early pace by driver Joe Pavia Jr., sitting fifth until the back stretch. That’s when he began a second-over move behind the live cover of Versado. In the stretch, Pavia spun him off that cover and he overcame Versado by 1 ½ lengths for a win in 1:49:3.
Mickey Hanover’s win was part of a big night for trainer Rene Allard, who picked up four wins on the card. The 5-year-old stallion, who won his previous start at The Meadowlands, now has four victories in eight races this season and 20 lifetime wins. Owned by Allard Racing, Dan Dube, Yves Sarrazin, and Gestion Mario Audet Inc., Mickey Hanover now has career earnings of $265,615.
The win by Mickey Hanover highlighted a particularly fast night at the Pocono oval. Each of the first seven winners on the pacing side came in at 1:51 or under, and Steelhead Hanover (Bettor’s Delight-Special Beauty), driven and trained by Pavia, also cracked 1:50 with a condition win in 1:49:4.