Campbellville, ON---Daenerys Hanover and Manhattan Play turned in sharp efforts to capture second leg divisions of the Autumn Series Monday night (Oct. 17) at Mohawk Racetrack.
An original group of 13 two-year-old pacing fillies were split into two $12,160 divisions.
Sheer Talent, the winner of leg one, looked poised for another score Monday, but Daenerys Hanover had other plans in the first division.Driven by Paul MacDonell, Daenerys Hanover got away fifth in the field of six and sat in that spot for the opening three-quarters of the mile. Sheer Talent grabbed command in the second-quarter and posted fractions of :57.3 and 1:26.1 to lead into the stretch.
Daenerys Hanover was six-lengths from the lead turning for home, but quickly erased that deficit in the lane and surged by her rivals to win in 1:56. Out Of Sight, who got a two-hole trip, finished second by just a neck, while Sheer Talent surrendered the lead and finished third.
A daughter of Camluck, Daenerys Hanover is trained by Sean Mehlenbacher for owner John Mehlenbacher. The rookie pacing filly, who finished second in last week’s first leg, now has three wins in nine starts this season for earnings of $27,228.
Daenerys Hanover paid $6.40 to win.
Manhattan Play scored a strong 2-3/4 length victory in the second division for driver Mike Saftic and trainer Nicky Comegna.
The daughter of Shadow Play, who finished fourth last week, was put right on the front and went coast to coast for a 1:55.2 maiden-breaking score. Ask For Me finished second, while Sporty Gussie was third.Manhattan Play posted fractions of :27.3, :57 and 1:26 before a :29.2 kicker to secure the victory. The Comegna trainee was winless in eight previous starts heading into Monday’s Autumn Series leg.
Owned by Bruno Comegna, Manhattan Play now has earnings of $23,302. She paid $3.30 to win.
The two-year-old pacing fillies will get extra time to rest up before the series final, as it will take place along with three other Autumn Series finals on Thursday, October 27.
Live racing continues Tuesday evening at Mohawk with round two of the Autumn Series for rookie trotting fillies headlining the 10-race card. Post time is 7:30 p.m.