Yo Tillie survives tough trip in $250,000 Delmonica Hanover

The Tactical Landing filly Yo Tillie survived a rough early journey, limbed three-wide past the eighth pole and not crossing over to the inside and the lead until past the three-eighths, but she kept trotting strongly to win her sixth race in an undefeated harness racing season, winning the $250,000 Delmonica Hanover for three-year-old trotting fillies in a stakes and track record 1:51.2.

Oaks winner Conversano left well as did Delaney Hanover; the latter hit the top before a :27.2 quarter, then kept the winner out in the air for most of the next quarter, with Yo Tillie reaching the half in :55.4. Conversano came up first-over before the 1:23.2 three quarters, but the overland route took its toll, and Delaney Hanover provided the major stretch danger. That filly picked up a few inches on the winner, but Yo Tillie appeared to be in control, winning by three parts of a length while making driver Todd McCarthy the first two-time winner in the Delmonica Hanover’s five-year history.

YO TILLIE REPLAY

“I was actually glad when I heard that she would be starting from post six (after What A Bid Hanover was scratched) – six is a lot easier than seven,” trainer Andrew Harris, also co-owner with William Pollock and Bruce Areman, said after the race. “She’s a professional now – she used to get a little fired-up before the race, but she’s learned and is easier that way now.”

The 1:51.2 shaved a tick off the stakes record first set by Joviality S in 2022 and tied by Warrawee Michelle last year (“Michelle” came back to set a world record in the Invitational Trot earlier in the card). Those two had also shared the track record with Check It Out(2012), Designed To Be (2014), and Lasting Dream (who won a consolation earlier in the day). Yo Tillie now has career earnings of $592,383.

DELMONICA HANOVER THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTTING FILLIES

The $125,000 Delmonica Hanover Consolation proved to be an easy victory for the Father Patrick filly R Dutchess, who was ready after 21 days away and came within a fifth of her mark posting a 1:52.2 time. Tim Tetrick controlled the pace with a move in front of the stands, and the filly continued on impressively to tally for trainer John Butenschoen and lessee M and L Delaware / Armitage Farm.

R DUCHESS REPLAY

In the $75,000 Delmonica Hanover consolation, the Cantab Hall filly Lasting Dream got the day off to a fast start, equaling the Pocono divisional track record with a 1:51.3 effort with two speed moves for driver Louis Roy.

LASTING DREAM REPLAY

Trainer Luc Blais and owner Determination saw their filly become the fifth of her class to go in 1:51.3 at Pocono, joining Check Me Out (2012), Designed To Be (2014), Joviality S (2022), and Warrawee Michelle (2024). That track record lasted under four hours, as Yo Tillie lowered it by a fifth in the main Delmonica Hanover event.

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

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs