Story from Standardbred Canada (8 May)
Linedrive Hanover (BETTING LINE) rung another win onto his record to nab his 10th straight victory when taking a $25,000 conditioned pace in 1:50.2 (see video below). Driver James MacDonald came from off the speed with the Anthony Beaton trainee to grab the front and win by 1-1/4 lengths. The four-year-old Betting Line gelding races for West Wins Stable, McKinley & Fielding and Mac Nichol and has banked $122,200. He paid $3 to win.
He wasn’t alone on the winner’s list for BETTING LINE this week – Abuckabett Hanover, the 2021 Tattersalls champion, shone in his seasonal debut, following a live second-over tow to get to the winner’s circle in 1:50. Driver Tim Tetrick got the son of Betting Line-All Tucked Up into a live cover flow as Abuckabett Hanover was towed into the race by Rockyroad Hanover, who left the gate hard from post 10. It was a rocky road for ‘Rockyroad’, who never found a spot along the rail, yet still had more than enough pace to drag the eventual winner into the race.
Abuckabett Hanover slid off his cover shortly after straightening away for the stretch drive and wore down a determined Lou’s Pearlman, the 9-5 favourite who could not hold on for the win despite rating the third fraction back to a sleepy :29.4, settling for second. Rockyroad Hanover was a superb third.
“I was confident,” said Tetrick. “He’s super fast. Tonight, we got a great trip. I think that’s where he likes it best (racing from off the pace).”
While recording his 12th win from 33 starts, Abuckabett Hanover raised his lifetime earnings to $784,783. He returned $6.20 to win as the 2-1 second choice in the betting.