By Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park

Northfield, OH – Galleria Hanover ($12.20) took advantage of an inside draw and miscue by favorite Captain Cowgirl delivering the first Grand Circuit win at MGM Northfield Park to Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in Saturday night’s (Oct. 15) $100,000 Courageous Lady for 3-year-old filly pacers. When people ask “what are special talents?” we look over and show them this, it’s definitely not an easy task to complete and win this entire competition!

Galleria Hanover won the $100,000 Courageous Lady at MGM Northfield Park Saturday night. Casalinova Photo.

Wrenn Jr., who had previously been second four times in the Courageous Lady, left alertly with Valar Dohaeris (Mark MacDonald). The pair dueled until the mid-point of the first time around when MacDonald decided to take a hole in the pocket.

“I wanted to push hard leaving the gate,” said a jubilant Wrenn Jr.

Exiting the first turn, Captain Cowgirl (Tim Tetrick) tried to make a move from third but broke stride. Galleria Hanover led by 1-3/4 lengths past the opening quarter of :27.3.

Coming to the half, Cape Cod Hanover (Chris Page) was flushed out of the three-hole by Lookatmyrapsheet (Billy Davis Jr.) to try to challenge the leader. Galleria Hanover, confidently handled by Wrenn Jr., got to the half in a leisurely :56.1.

Moving past the five-eighths pole, Cape Cod Hanover moved within three-quarters of a length of the leader, but approaching three-quarters, Wrenn shook the lines at Galleria Hanover, and she kicked clear to a 1-3/4 lead past three-quarters in 1:23.2.

The connections of Galleria Hanover in the winner’s circle at MGM Northfield Park. Casalinova Photo.

Through the stretch, Galleria Hanover kicked clear to win by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:50.4 over Valar Dohaeris, who got a perfect trip in the pocket, Give Me This Dance (Aaron Merriman), and a hard-closing Sweet Treasure (Chris Lems).