Robust Hanover - 2CP
bay colt, by Warm Breeze
Barberry Spur, a gangly June Niatross foal who, despite a purple pedigree, fetched a mere $40,000 in the sales ring, had been among the season's leaders much of the latter part of the year. Robust Hanover, a pint-sized Warm Breeze colt from perhaps the most productive maternal family in harness racing, brought a miniscule $8,500 as a yearling for breeder Hanover Shoe Farms. Yet when the dust cleared, these two had established themselves as the two finest pacing colts In America, and the favorites In the $673,553 Breeders Crown.
The final shaped up as a momentous, evenly-matched affair. Each colt had won his elimination heat impressively; therefore they would start from the two Inside post positions. Each was improving with every start. Each was being driven by a future Hall of Famer, with Bill O'Donnell seated behind Barberry Spur and John Campbell, the dominant Crown reinsman in 1985 in Robust Hanovers sulky. Each figured to be on or close to the pace.
As the gate opened, O'Oonnel took advantage of his rail position and was the first horse to grab the lead, but the crafty Ben Webster had the French Chef colt Souffle cranked up, so Barberry Spur yielded and allowed Souffle the lead. Robust Hanover had settled In behind these two, and the rest of the eight-horse field also found spots at the rail.
As Webster began to slow the pace, O'Donnell, sensing that Campbell would not wait too long, brushed Barberry Spur back to the lead, which Webster willingly relinquished. O'Donnell's instincts were correct, as Campbell immediately sent Robust on a charge to the lead. The smaller horse set the rest of the pace, sailing on an open lead past the three-quarters in 1 :28 before O'Donnell began to get his mount rolling. As they turned for home, it was evident that the race was, as predicted, between the two bargain colts. The only question that was left. Well, can a good little horse beat a good big horse?
The Rosecrolt fans had made Barberry Spur 3-5, but Robust Hanover refused to watch the tote board. Dwarfed by his foe, the diminutive pacer battled on, accepting Campbell's whip and straining toward the wire. Just outside of him, Barberry Spur, towering above his adversary, could not seem to get his nose in front, despite Bill O'Donnell's exhortations. The gap was narrowing, a half-length, then a quarter, then a neck, then a head. But that was as small as the margin got.
Robust Hanover, owned by Ronald Knigge and trainer W. E. '1.ofty" Bruce, held on by a scant head In 1 :56.4, a new track r8(;()rd. Barberry Spur was a dead-game second, and Souffle, taking advantage of his early positioning, was clear for third.
Owners
Wallace E. Bruce & Ronald Knigge
Trainer | Driver
Wallace Bruce | John Campbell
Purse $505,165
Rosecroft Raceway. Fort Washington, MD
