Elista Hanover has excelled in all three preliminary legs of the Pennsylvania Sires Stake and boasts 10 wins in 13 starts this year. Given this success, it seems odd to label the three-year-old filly trotter as being on a losing streak. However, she has dropped her last two races and will be looking to get back on track in her USD 71,399 PASS division on Thursday, August 29, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
In addition, the card features a USD 40,000 PA Stallion Series event for three-year-old filly trotters, with the first post set for 12:45 p.m.
Elista Hanover's recent setbacks occurred against the formidable competition—she finished fourth in the Delmonica Hanover and came in sixth in the Hambletonian Oaks final as the even-money favourite.
However, trainer Annie Stoebe, who co-owns Elista Hanover with R. Lynn Curry and Philomena Curry, explains that her recent performance was impacted by factors unrelated to her rivals' quality. "She scoped very sick after the Hambletonian Oaks, and we had to focus on getting her healthy," Stoebe comments. "During the Delmonica Hanover, she choked at the gate, which had never happened to her before."
To address these issues, Stoebe has changed Elista Hanover's equipment from a leather bit to a plain snaffle bit, and she may consider further adjustments based on the filly's warm-up. "We might switch to cheek pieces instead of a closed bridle, depending on how she warms up."
Stoebe noted that Elista Hanover will not be racing at the Red Mile, as the filly's sights are set on the Breeders Crown. The $240,000 yearling purchase has earned $307,244 to date, and Stoebe remarked that her family tends to improve as they age. "As long as she finishes the year strong," Stoebe stated, "we plan to bring her back at four."
Elista Hanover is set to race from post four in the sixth race, with her regular driver, David Miller, at the helm.