18 Aug 2024, from Steve Wolf, Quebec Jockey Club
With one of the gutsiest performances of his career, 14-1 REDWOOD HANOVER (STAY HUNGRY) and driver Jonathan Drury wore down Huntinthelastdolar in the stretch to capture the C$200,000 Prix d’Ete for four-year-old pacers Sunday at the Hippodrome 3R. It was the 33 edition of the Prix d’Ete, which was last held four years ago at Hippodrome 3R.
The tenth race feature got underway with El Rey firing out to the early lead and then race favorite It’s My Show flying on the outside and taking the lead after an eye-opening first quarter mile in :26.1. It’s My Show led the field to the half mile in :55.3 with Huntinthelastdolar coming first-over and REDWOOD HANOVER second-over. As they raced down the backstretch, It’s My Show began to fade as Huntinthelastdolar took command and REDWOOD HANOVER and Drury continued first-over as they passed the three-quarters in 1:24.2. Those two then hooked up racing neck and neck around the final turn and down the stretch until REDWOOD HANOVER wore down Huntinthelastdolar and won by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:52.2. Huntinthelastdolar was second with No Control (Jody Jamieson) third.
It was the fastest mile of the year at Hippodrome 3R and the second win on the season for REDWOOD HANOVER. The stallion is trained by Anthony Beaton, who co-owns him with Mac Nichol-Mckinlay & Fielding and David Mercer. He paid $30.90 to win.
“He really raced good in his last start at Mohawk,” said winning driver Jonathan Drury. “And I know he has a big kick. I just need them to rough it up a bit, which they did and things worked out in our favor.
“When they started to clear in the backstretch,” Drury explained. “I still had a ton of horse. So, I figured we could give him (Huntinthelastdolar) a good run to the finish. My horse was covered up enough to be able to get the job done. I felt good coming off the last turn.”
PHOTO: Redwood Hanover (STAY HUNGRY), PhotoDesk
