It’s not true that the great Johnny Cash had the pacer Lochlan Hanover in mind when he sang his hit “I’ve Been Everywhere”, but it sure fits ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- January 3, 2025 -- It’s not true that the great Johnny Cash had the pacer Lochlan Hanover in mind when he sang his hit “I’ve Been Everywhere”, but it sure fits.
The 4-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous-Lady Dale, who had raced during his relatively brief 27-start career at The Red Mile, The Meadows, Pocono Downs, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Tioga Downs and Yonkers Raceway, added another track to that list Saturday night, making his debut at The Meadowlands.
Things went exceedingly well in the featured $17,500 high-end conditioned pace, as the Rico Robinson trainee recorded his third win in his last four tries.
“We raced him at Chester a couple of times with Tim Tetrick driving and Timmy told me this horse would like The Meadowlands, that fewer turns would help him a lot,” said Robinson.
Switching from three turns at Harrah’s Philadelphia to two at The Big M proved to be a winning move. Lochlan Hanover was third at the quarter as Lazarus Star hit that station in :28.3.
Driver Mark Herschberger moved Lochlan Hanover off the rail just after the half, where ‘Lazarus’ ruled in :57, and set his sights on the leader. ‘Lochlan’ continued to grind away at the leader’s edge around the far turn and was just a nose behind Lazarus Star as three-quarters went in 1:25.
Game over.
Lochlan had big-time momentum at this point, drawing clear through the stretch to record a 1¾-length win in 1:52.1, a lifetime best for the now-winner of five races in 28 career tries. Bookem Danno rallied to get second with Blue Onyx third.
“Rico does a heckuva job with these horses,” said Herschberger. “Timmy drove him a few starts at Chester and told Rico the big track would really help this horse and he was really spot-on with that. The horse really kicked home tonight.”
Owned by Pollack Racing LLC, Lochlan Hanover lifted his lifetime earnings to just past the $100,000 mark. As the 7-5 favorite, he returned $4.80 to his backers.
A LITTLE MORE: Brett Beckwith was at it again. The 22-year-old defending driving champion at The Big M followed up his three-winner Friday with five walks down victory lane Saturday to lead the colony. … Despite a sequence where there were no big long shots, those holding winning tickets on the 20-cent Pick-6 cashed in for $4,932.36 after the six-pack of winners were sent to the gate at odds of 4-1, 7-2, 8-5, 9-2, 5-2 and 2-1. A carryover of $3,112 led to a total pool of a hair under $17,000. … Per Engblom and Leah Posner paced the trainer colony with a pair of winners apiece. … All-source handle on the 15-race card totaled $2,808,100. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m. Then, after the usual Saturday program, the first of four consecutive Sunday race cards will take place. Post time on Sundays is 12:30 p.m.
