EAST RUTHERFORD, July 16 – No standardbred had ever paced a mile in under 1:46, but that changed tonight when Bulldog Hanover bested a field of 11 to set a new world record of 1:45.4 in the William R. Haughton at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Bulldog, as he is known to his fans, left from post seven in the field of 11, and after sitting behind a first quarter pace of 26.0, Dexter Dunn moved him to the front, and he led the rest of the way in world record fashion.
“I had a good helmet all the way around the first turn on a hot first quarter,” said Dunn. “Once (Rockyroad Hanover) crossed over, and the big fella got clear air he was marching on after that.”
Cambridge, Ont., resident Jack Darling owns Bulldog Hanover along with Brad Grant of Milton, Ont.
“I honestly had a tear in my eye as they crossed the line. Just watching him is incredible,” said Darling. “Just been doing it for so long, and this is the kind of horse you’re looking for. I have had some great horses, but to get a horse like this is incredible.”
Darling trained the Shadow Play son during his two-and-three-year-old campaigns where he racked up wins in the Ontario Sires Stakes, including a Super Final win at two and seven total wins at the Gold level. He was sent to the breeding shed prior to his four-year-old season and through it all has shown what a talented, and resilient horse he is.
“He’s just an iron horse. To watch him as a two-year-old, and how he progressed and was so impressive, and three came he back well,” said Darling. “Now just week after week these incredible miles. Going from the breeding shed and coming back at four. He just keeps getting better, and better.”
Up next for the world record holder is a return to Ontario, where he will get a well deserved three-week rest before heading to Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN for the Dan Patch, and after that setting his sights on the Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Darling will continue to enjoy the ride of owning the fastest pacer of all time. Something he never even dreamed would happen.
“I never really thought that would happen,” said Darling. “Every time you go to the sale, you’re hoping to get a good one, but to get to this level is really something special.”