In a driving finish Haroun Hanover held off Three
Artist(Zeke Parker) who defeated him by a length last week in a 1:56
clocking. Third place went to 99-1 shot Wantasmile, driven by Pat Beeler.
As gritty a as any horse can be Haroun Hanover seemingly
doesn’t know the end of a mile attested to the many times he has to go around
the track again after a race just to slow him down enough to get him back to
the paddock.
“He’s always on the muscle but today he was stronger and
more focused than he has been lately,” driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. said
about Haroun Hanover. “We got looped on the first turn and we were
beat to the quarter in :27.2 . He wasn’t comfortable following the leader so I
let him ramble as we came off the paddock turn and we cleared and were in front
before the half.
“From there he just kept grinding and unlike the past few
weeks where we got overtaken in the final strides , he held on and turned
back all challenges to win in (1) 56-and- a-piece.”
“Today he (Haroun Hanover) was trying the whole way and when
he’s in that mode he’s extra tough,” noted trainer Danny Gill.
Asked why he was mediocre at other racetracks prior to
coming to Monticello Raceway and his 12 wins could be a good season in
its self.
“I got him late last fall from a trainer at Pocono
(Downs) where he wasn’t racing very well, “ Gill explained. “I
believe the big track (5/8th of a mile) didn’t suit him for the way
he likes to race. He’s great on a half mile and he proves it week in and week
out.
“But you have to understand (that) he’s a handful every time
you put a harness on him.”
With Tracys Song’s 15 seasonal wins; Haroun Hanover’s 12
wins, and Worthys Magic with 11, it gives the Mighty M the top three race
winners currently in North America.
