Bettors Up scores an upset victory in Fan Hanover

CAMPBELLVILLE, June 17 – Bettors Up, driven by Doug McNair, pulled off a 11-1 upset by a mere nose  in the $440,000 Fan Hanover Final for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack, part of the Pepsi North America Cup undercard.

Bettors Up got away third while Agent Q and Al Mar Got A Fever battled for the early lead into the first turn.  A parked out Agent Q stuck the front as they basted by the quarter pole in :26.4. Bettors Up then made a quick rush to the lead before the :55.1 half.

The 9-5 heavy favourite, Idyllic Beach, who was sitting fourth, was hoping to catch second-over cover so when Al Mar Got A Fever made a bid for the lead from third, the bettor’s choice followed. Bettors Up remained the leader as they passed the three-quarter marker in 1:22.1.

Agent Q, who was sitting second, was fed open racetrack and added pressure to Bettors Up. The pair dueled strides before the wire but Bettors Up poked a nose in front to score the victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:49.4.  Agent Q was second in the photo finish and Tequila Monday finished third. Idyllic Beach was advancing from fourth to third but broke stride momentarily, which resulted in her finishing fourth.

“I thought (she held on),” said McNair. “I got my hopes up a little bit after and I kind of had to relax a bit. She is not a very big filly so I wasn’t quite sure.”

“There wasn’t a lot of leavers,” he added. “I actually tried to get away in the two-hole behind Dave [Miller and Agent Q]. It didn’t work out. But it actually worked out the right away for us. I had to revoke her back to the lead and she did the rest.”

The daughter of Bettors Delight and Fresh Idea, who is trained by Scott McEneny, notched her second victory of the season and eighth career triumph. With the win, the filly lifts her career earnings to $456,499 for Bradley Grant, Teresa Davidson and Michelle McEneny.

“She had a good week,” said trainer McEneny. “She drew well and she raced really tough last week so I was very happy with her race last week. Things worked out tonight.”

Bettors Up finished second her in her elimination behind Tequila Monday.

Bettors Up paid $24.40, 10.40 and $4.80, combining with Agent Q ($10.40, $5.50) for a $280.40 (1-7) exactor. A 1-7-5 (Tequila Monday, $2.60) triactor was worth $782.70, while a $1 superfecta [1-7-5-4 (Idyllic Beach)] returned $3,649.35.