Ken Hanover — and his trainer — seek signature win in Adios
At 13h37, on July 27, 2023 • By Evan Pattak, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
Ken Hanover has done just about everything asked of him, racing competitively against the tops of his division and banking nearly $250,000 in the process. Yet he still lacks that signature win that would propel him to stardom among sophomore male pacers.
The son of Captaintreacherous-KJ’s Justine will seek that signature score in Saturday’s $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. He’ll leave from post eight for David Miller in the Adios, which goes as race 15 on the 16-race card. First post is 11:45 a.m.
Ken Hanover has captured a number of Pennsylvania Sires Stake legs, and he finished third to Fulton in last year’s PASS final. (Fulton, by the way, is even farther out in the Adios, starting from post nine). He also finished third in an International Stallion Stakes split at the Red Mile. It may be worth mentioning that the morning line Adios favorite, It’s My Show, finished sixth in that heat.
Roland Mallar, who trains Ken Hanover and owns with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt, recognizes the lack of a breakthrough win for his colt but attributes part of it to scheduling.
“I didn’t have him paid in to a whole lot last year, so this is the first major stakes race we were pointing to,” Mallar says. “Hopefully we can knock one of them off between now and the end of the fall.”
He noted that Ken Hanover is eligible to such rich engagements as the Hempt, the Little Brown Jug, the Bluegrass, the International Stallion Stakes and the Matron.
“He’s been ham-and-egging it around, but I think he’s proven he can go with these. He’s always charging home, even when he’s facing this caliber of horse. It will be tough from the eight hole, but if he shows up, I hope we can grab a chunk of it.”
Speaking of ham-and-egging it, Mallar has been a standout for years in PA Sires Stakes but still might be flying a bit under the radar. Could it be that Ken Hanover’s trainer needs a champagne breakfast as much as the colt does?
“That probably would be nice,” Mallar acknowledged. “We’ve been bouncing around in Pennsylvania and had some decent horses, but getting one of these major wins is what we’re in it for. The stars have to be aligned right.”
