Its A Love Thing Lunges for Fan Hanover Win

MILTON, June 15, 2024— Dave Menary trainee Its A Love Thing sustained through a first-over push and forged forward in the homestretch charge to win the $425,000 Fan Hanover on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park and tied the stakes, track and Canadian record with a 1:48.2 mile.

Its A Love Thing landed in fifth from the pylon post through a :26.3 first quarter as even-money favourite Geocentric powered forward to take command from My Girl EJ. Geocentric coasted up the backside to a :54.4 half while James MacDonald was forced to send Its A Love Thing uncovered on the rim to the final turn.

Despite getting caught first over, Its A Love Thing persisted against Geocentric to three-quarters in 1:22 and thrusted to the lead when the favourite came up empty for home. Caviart Belle tipped to the center of the track off her second-over tow and aimed at Its A Love Thing late and in futile chase as she muscled by the beam a length in front. My Girl EJ kicked into action late for third and Canigetalouploup rallied through a seam at the pylons for fourth.

“Obviously [the trip] wasn’t how we drew it up but it’s a horse race and you just have to wait and see how things go,” James MacDonald said after the race. “I’m just lucky that Dave [Menary] and his crew had her amazing tonight. She was able to overcome a bad trip and showed what kind of a horse she is.”

“I was just hoping she didn’t get away too far back,” Dave Menary said after the race. “She’s a big filly to try and push through from the rail, and I figured there would be outside leavers. So I just left it up to James – as long as she doesn’t get pinned. She did all the work tonight and went right on by.”

A daughter of Bettors Delight, Its A Love Thing won her third race from five starts this season and her ninth from 17 overall, earning $928,906 for owners Eric Good, Thomas Biederman, Josh Green and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC. Off the third choice in the betting, she paid $10 to win.

The 1:48.2 mile paced by Its A Love Thing equaled the stakes, track and Canadian record established by American Jewel in 2012 and matched by Sylvia Hanover last year.

 By Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine Communications

Grace Martin

Grace Martin

Communications Specialist, Woodbine Entertainment

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Woodbine Entertainment is the largest horse racing operator in Canada, with Thoroughbred horse racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, and Standardbred horse racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Milton. Woodbine Entertainment also owns and operates HPIbet, Canada’s only betting platform dedicated to horse racing. Woodbine and Mohawk Park are host to several world-class racing events including The King’s Plate, three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, and the Pepsi North America Cup. Run without share capital, Woodbine Entertainment has a mandate to financially invest all profit back into the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across Ontario.

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