Last week trainer Andrew Adamcyzk claimed Haroun
Hanover for $4000 from the Danny Gill barn after the pacer was
parked to the quarter in :28.3 and then toured the Mighty M oval in
the stunning time of 1:56.3 for Jimmy Marohn, Jr. in the
second leg of Monticello Raceways Name Your Price Claiming Series.
However, on Wednesday afternoon, February 20th
with the same $4000 price tag, driver Greg Merton and the 7
year old Bettor’s Delight gelding romped to a three-length triumph
in 1:57.2 in the third and final of the Name You Price
Claiming Series. It was Haroun Hanover’s sixth consecutive victory
which ties him with four others for most wins in North America in 2013.
After stating from post seven Merton zoomed Haroun Hanover
to the front and made every pole a winning one en route to the pacers sixth
consecutive victory. River Waltz N was second for Jimmy Devaux while Bruce
Aldrich Jr., got Multiple Choice home for third money. Sent off the odds-on
favorite Haroun Hanover paid $3.90 for win.
Meanwhile in the paddock waiting patiently after the
completion of the race for the judges to declare whom of the potential
claimants won the draw as to who would take Haroun Hanover home, original
owners Edward Hall and James Hall, along with their trainer Danny Gill,
cheered when that they got their horse back at what
seems to be a bargain price of $4000.
Now in the series Final set for next Wednesday they won’t
have to worry about losing their pacer again, at least not in the Name
Your Price Series because no claiming is allowed in the series finale.
A second Name Your Price Series preliminary was
also contested on February 20 and it turned out to be one of those
proverbial cavalry charges to the finish line with Lascomicstanding and
JimmyDevaux holding off a late rally by 20-1 shot Buzzd On Sudzz in rein to
Mike Forte to score in a time of 1:59.1 . But when the field turned for
home it appeared that the pace-setter Thomas John N with Mike
Simons in the pilot seat would prevail but the veteran New
Zealand-bred 11 year old gelding tired just yards before the
wire and finished third in a tight place photo.
Last week Lastcomicstanding finished second to Haroun
Hanover in 1:56.3 clocking but a good two-hole journey was good enough to
give the 9 year old Whelan Willie gelding his first seasonal triumph. Trained
by Philip Bo Sowers for Mo Coo Inc and Jonathan Klee Racing
Lastcomicstanding he paid $8.80 for win.
