Simon Says Hanover sizzles in third straight score

Simon Says Hanover (Captaintreacherous) notched his third straight $36,000 Open Pace harness racing victory at Yonkers Raceway Wednesday (Oct. 4), wiring the field with ease once again, nearly tying the all-age track record.

With Daniel Dube in the sulky, race favorite Simon Says Hanover started from post five in the 4^th race feature for 3-5-year-old pacers and shot right to the early lead with Southwind Petyr (Matt Kakaley) getting the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :27.

No one challenged as Simon Says Hanover led the field past the half mile marker in :55.1. Then in the backstretch, JM’s Finaltreasure (George Brennan) came first-over from third place but could not advance on Simon Says Hanover, who sped to the three-quarters in 1:22.3.

By the top of the stretch, Simon Says Hanover was up by two lengths over the field and with a :27.1 last quarter mile, went on to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:49.4, just one fifth of a second from tying the all-age track record at Yonkers.

SIMON SAYS HANOVER REPLAY

It was not just the third straight win in the Open at Yonkers, but a lifetime mark and the eighth win of the year for Simon Says Hanover. The five-year-old gelding is trained by Jared Bako for owner Randy Zane and paid $2.60 to win.

The all-age track record at Yonkers is 1:49.3 and is co-held by four horses, Theartofconfusion A (2019), American History (2019), Tattoo Artist (2021) and Backstreet Shadow (2023).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink