Sylvia Hanover ups the score in Lady Liberty
At 0h31, on August 3, 2025 • By Ray Cotolo, The Meadowlands
Team Steacy’s enigmatic star mare Sylvia Hanover continued in her rejuvenated form and added another victory in her renewed rivalry with Twin B Joe Fresh when reigning in a stretch battle to score a 1:48.2 win in the Grade 2 $139,000 Lady Liberty free-for-all mare pace on Saturday (Aug. 2) at The Meadowlands.
Kobe’s Gigi pushed through a :26.4 first quarter to lead a backstretch chess match with Sylvia Hanover seated in the pocket and Twin B Joe Fresh tracking her from third. No one made a move to a :54.4 half but come the far turn, driver Tim Tetrick made the move to attack with Sylvia Hanover.
Twin B Joe Fresh nestled into the second-over spot on the charge to three-quarters in 1:22.1 and pulled off cover in the lane to take her shot at Sylvia Hanover. Tetrick raised the reins as Twin B Joe Fresh came to call and his charge responded, repelling Twin B Joe Fresh in the last eighth of a mile to win by 1-3/4 lengths. My Girl EJ rallied to grab third from Kobe’s Gigi in fourth.
A 5-year-old mare by Always B Miki out of the dam Shyaway, Sylvia Hanover won her fourth race from seven starts this season and scored her second victory this year against Twin B Joe Fresh, who she upended with a 1:48.2 effort in late June to win the $116,500 Perfect Sting.
The darling of her division as a 3-year-old, Sylvia Hanover’s second counter punch came after Twin B Joe Fresh ruled their rivalry in dominant 4-year-old season, which earned her Dan Patch Horse of the Year honors.
“I think she got a little bigger, a little stronger and she’s shown in the races,” trainer Mark Steacy said of Sylvia Hanover. “The people with [Twin B] Joe Fresh have a very friendly rivalry with us, and she’s a great mare too. To beat her makes it even that much more special.”
Sylvia Hanover, winning her 25th race from 46 starts, has now earned $2,079,354 for owner Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. She paid $4 to win.
