Sassa Hanover showed her versatility in winning the 45th Jugette during Wednesday action at the Delaware County Fair.
In the $151,350 second heat, Matt Kakaley sent Sassa Hanover after the lead from the rail position. Southwind Roulette (Corey Callahan) improved from her third starting position to sit behind the leader.
The first elimination winner, Bettor N Better (Yannick Gingras), was the first to challenge but could not get past the eventual winner. Sassa Hanover drew clear of the field and scored a two-length victory over Southwind Roulette and Somewhere Sweet (Jim Morrill, Jr.) in 1:51 1/5.
The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven, winner of the 2010 Little Brown Jug, is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Panhellenic Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Lawrence Karr. The win was trainer Ron Burke’s second Jugette crown and Kakaley’s first.
“I was second the past two years, so this feels good,” noted Kakaley.
The two-heat time of 3:42 established a new two-heat world record.
In the second elimination, Sassa Hanover came from off the pace and went from last to first to score in a stakes record equaling 1:50 4/5.
Momas Got A Gun (David Miller) was hustled off the gate’s wings to take early command of the field of six. Kakaley dropped Sassa Hanover to the back of the pack and was content to sit there until midway down the backstretch.
Sassa Hanover swooped past the field and beat Somewhere Sweet by ¾ of a length. Bedroomconfessions (Tim Tetrick) and Serious Filly (Scott Zeron) advanced to the final.
In the first elimination Bettor N Better came from off the pace to score in 1:51 1/5.
David Miller and Triple V Hanover protected his rail position and led the field through the first three-quarters of a mile. Yannick Gingras eased Bettor N Better off the rail going down the backstretch and drew off by 2 ¼ lengths over the pocket sitting Southwind Roulette (Matt Kakaley) and Moremercy Bluechip (Andy Miller) in 1:51 1/5. Wicked Little Minx (Brett Miller) also advanced to the final.
