However, it wasn’t until the race was completed that most
Marohn’s problems really began when he couldn’t pull the horse up after
the mile.
Since the pacer first came here last fall Haroun Hanover has
been known to pass on the return to the winners circle. And today that quirk,
which has been part of the pacer’s habits this year, was never more prevalent
that it was today (April 3).
“There were a few times earlier this year when I couldn’t
stop him after the race and had to go around the track again until I had him
(Haroun Hanover) under control,” Marohn related from the paddock judges
office telephone after he and the pacer were both safely settled
back in the race paddock.
“But today, he was extra tough. I couldn’t stop him even
after I went around two extra times. On the third trip around, the starting
gate came on the track-- without the wings opened-- and I aimed him squarely
behind the car. Finally I got him under control as the groom grabbed him
by the paddock gate and walked him back to his race stall.
“I don’t know what got into him today all I knew was that I
wasn’t going to pull on him because I figured he’d get tired sooner or later.
But today he was stronger than I thought.”
“Last week I tried to race him (Haroun Havover) out of a
hole and he came up short so this week I knew right from the get-go that I’d
put him on the front-end,” Marohn said of the pacer he has driven to nine wins
prior to his race today.
“Every race that we won this year was on the front-end.”
So on Tuesday afternoon(April 2) Marohn let his
pacer ramble to the lead as the wings of the mobile gate folded and Haroun
Hanover made it look easy as the 7 year old Bettor’s Delight
gelding went through his paces rebuffing any and all challenges and then
cruising to an easy two-length triumph in a time of 1:57.3.
Fox Valley Renoir, with a perfect two hole journey, finished
second for Zeke Parker while No Gin and Bruce Aldrich, Jr. was third.
“He’s got a big engine but man is he a handful,” Marohn
added referring to Haroun Hanover’s shenanigans.
Owned by Ed Hall and James Hall of South Windsor, Ct.
and trained by Danny Gill, Haroun Hanover paid $2.90 for win.
Now with 10 seasonal wins Haroun
Hanover is currently second in races won this year in North America. That
gives the Mighty M a 1-2 pinch because another Monticello Raceway pacer, Tracys
Song, is the North American leader with 11 wins.
