Chase H Hanover returns ‘home’ for shot at Battle of Lake Erie

When the horses line up behind the gate for Saturday (June 7) night’s $200,000 Grade 2 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park, the connections of Chase H Hanover are hopeful their talented gelding is ready to step up and do something very special.

Chase H Hanover’s story, however, begins long before his 7-year-old season began. The story of the son of Captaintreacherous began at Sahbra Farms in Streetsboro, Ohio.

Local trainer Scott Cox was the first to lay eyes on Chase H Hanover, and he admits he had questions about his ability at a young age.

“The first day we hooked him, he didn’t really want to go,” said Cox. “We were concerned about his ability, but it didn’t take him long to start showing us how special of a horse he really was.”

Special might be an understatement.

Broke as a baby by Cox and the late Hunter Myers, Chase H Hanover began training down at Sahbra Farms and his connections couldn’t believe what they witnessed from him.

“Training down, he had a very nice mouth on him, and after a few training miles, it was obvious he would be a nice horse,” said Cox.

At 2, Chase H Hanover put together a 1:51.1 world-record performance at Delaware, a record that still stands today. Cox knew how fast he was, and while that was impressive, his ability to pass horses was even more astonishing.

“David Miller called me early and told me how nice of a horse he was. He has always had a lot of gate speed, but his ability to race off a helmet is incredible,” said Cox. “I’m convinced if there were 30 horses in front of him, he would pass them all when he is at his best.”

Sold following his sophomore season, he shipped to the barn of Virgil Morgan Jr., where Chase H Hanover was a solid Open horse, dancing in some of racing’s biggest races.

Fast forward to 2025, where Chase H Hanover has now ended up in the barn of husband-and-wife duo Cory and Vicki Stratton.

The Strattons, who are expecting their first child in December, joining a puppy they just added to their already large family with two other dogs, have built a stable in New York racing up and down the East Coast. The pair have spent years honing their craft and working hard together to come up with a system that works for them.

“Sure, we butt heads sometimes, but that is to be expected,” laughed Vicki Stratton. “We have found a good rhythm and each take responsibility for certain things; it definitely helps things run more smoothly.”

Chase H Hanover has taken the pair on the ride of a lifetime, scoring his first 2025 win in early February against conditioned company at The Meadowlands.

After some big efforts at Pocono, the pair shipped Chase H Hanover to Yonkers for the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, where he excelled, winning two legs of the series and finishing second in the $516,000 Grade 1 final.

From there, he shipped to London, Ontario’s Western Fair Raceway for the $109,500 Camluck Classic, where Chase H Hanover proved just how tough of a horse he is. He finished third-placed-second from post six in a three-horse photo.

“The draw put us in a naturally tough spot,” said trainer Cory Stratton. “Tyler Borth, one of London’s leading drivers, put him into play early and gave him the best shot he could. With all of the adversity of the race, he finished right with the best. It proved to us how good he was.”

Unfortunately for Chase H Hanover’s connections, the draw was not kind to them again in the War on the Shore, lining up with post seven.

“The draw definitely hurts, but every horse in the race has a shot. Chase is no different,” said Vicki.

One thing in his favor is his ability to get off the gate early and be put into play. While they would love to see him cross over early, his speed gives local driver Chris Lems a multitude of options with the son of Captaintreacherous.

This year’s Battle isn’t the first time the Strattons have ventured to the Buckeye State. Trainer Cory Stratton, an Ohio native, has had his eyes on the Battle of Lake Erie prize for a long time.

“Winning the Battle would be a lot to us, especially with Chase, because he deserves to win a big one,” said Cory. “My brother Jordan has had a lot of success in Ohio; we’re excited to take on this field. Chase is as tough as they come. There isn’t anyone with a bigger heart.”

The husband-and-wife team are very happy with how their gelding is training leading up to the race.

“Chase is a pretty cool horse that is easy on himself; he loves to eat and nap, and while sometimes he puts on a cranky face, he is a complete sweetheart,” said Cory.

Also competing in Saturday’s Battle of Lake Erie is world champion Bythemissal, local favorite and earner of over $769,000 Dunkin’, Pepsi North America Cup champion, Desperate Man, Breeders Crown and Little Brown Jug runner-up Seven Colors, Pennsylvania-based speedster Ken Hanover, defending champion Little Rocket Man, MGM Borgata Pacing Series champion Mossdale Ben N, and New Zealand import Helium N.

Post time on Saturday is 6 p.m.