COACH STEFANOS, KEN HANOVER TORCH TRACK IN BROWER MEMORIAL

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- June 28, 2025 -- Saturday (June 28) saw speedy returning victories by Ken Hanover, a winner once last year from 12 starts in a lifetime-best mile over this track, and 2024 Breeders Crown Open Pace champion Coach Stefanos in their respective $86,500 divisions of the Dave Brower Memorial at The Meadowlands.

Coach Stefanos again reaped from a fast pace sowed to register the fastest mile of the 2025 meet at The Meadowlands so far, a lifetime-best 1:47.2 effort, to win the second division of the Brower Memorial.

Maximus Miki motored for the lead to a :26.1 first quarter while 6-5 favorite Bythemissal managed to only find a seat in fourth. Bythemissal plotted his move in the backstretch while Ervin Hanover darted out of third to brush for the top before clocking the half in :53, at which point Bythemissal was forced into a first-over grind moving for the turn.

Room opened at the pylons for driver James MacDonald to skid forward and save ground with Coach Stefanos, who then managed to have a seam emerge to his outside with second-over It’s My Show stalled and soon retreating from cover on the charge to three-quarters in 1:20.2. MacDonald fanned from the cones to the center of the track and unleashed Coach Stefanos in the stretch, collaring his weary challengers to roll home a 1-1/4 length winner going away. Longshot Seven Colors took second when rallying from a ground-saving trip while Bythemissal held third and Maximus Miki settled for fourth.

“I think all the Coach Stefanos players were licking their chops when they saw the half come up quick,” James MacDonald said after the race. “He’s just got such a good late punch. I think he’ll be a more versatile horse as he gets older, but right now it’s just fun to see what he can do late in the mile. He’s got an explosive move.”

A 5-year-old gelding by Tellitlikeitis trained by Erv Miller, Coach Stefanos collected his 20^th win from 54 starts and pushed his bankroll to $1,332,629 for owners K. W. Duffy, D&M Trading LLC and Mr. J. Chris Stefanos. He paid $20.40 to win.

Ken Hanover hustled from the outermost post in the octet and strode in hand to a 1:47.4 victory, equaling his lifetime best, in the first division of the Dave Brower Memorial.

Voukefalas launched off the wings of the gate and crossed over to the top heading for the first turn. Driver David Miller pushed Ken Hanover forward, but methodically advanced to grab the lead from a headstrong Voukefalas past a :26.1 first quarter. Miller throttled his charge to a breather with a :54.2 half as Abuckabett Hanover tipped out of fourth and attempted to press for the lead first over, but made minimal inroads through the final turn.

Clocking three-quarters in 1:21.4, Ken Hanover and pocket-sitter Voukefalas scampered clear of the competition on the sprint for home. Driver Joe Bongiorno launched Voukefalas out of the pocket with a final lunge after Ken Hanover in the stretch, though Miller maintained a snug hold of the reins to register a measured win by a neck. Voukefalas settled for second with Coaches Corner snatching third from a ground-saving trip. Charlie May rallied for fourth.

“He had a couple issues last year that he hopefully left behind them; he acts like they are,” trainer Roland Mollar said after the race. “He’s come back really strong and is sharp right now.”

A 5-year-old stallion by Captaintreacherous now on a five-win tear including a world-record performance in the Grade 2 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park, Ken Hanover has now won 18 races from 49 starts and has earned $868,357 for owners Roland Mallar along with partners Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt. He paid $3 to win.

To watch the replays from the Dave Brower Memorial, click the respective links: Division 1, Division 2.