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
