Georgies Pockets lowered the track record for two-year-old trotters at Hanover Raceway on Saturday night with a 1:59.1 triumph in the $77,800 final of the Balanced Image Trot.

Smoke Monkey set the divisional record last Saturday when he won his Balanced Image elimination in 1:59.2 and was the favourite going into the final. However, Ginger Road used his rail advantage to jump out to the early lead and took the field past the quarter in :28.1 and the half in :59.4. Magical Steph was second while Smoke Monkey got away third and moved to the outside before the half with Georgies Pockets and driver Michiel Vanderkemp following his first over lead. Smoke Monkey took over command at the three-quarters in 1:29 and it looked like the two-year-old might be on his way to another track record, but Georgies Pockets came out three-wide to win the race in 1:59.1, one fifth of a second better than last week’s record. Magical Steph got up for second, just ahead of Smoke Monkey, who finished third.

Georgies Pockets is owned by the M T Pockets Stable from Pompano Beach, Florida. The Muscle Mass colt is now five-for-six in his young career, with earnings climbing to $74,150.

Vanderkemp said afterwards that he was grinning the whole mile because he followed Smoke Monkey around the whole trip and just had more to give in the stretch.

Longtime Glengate Farm Manager Doug Nash was on hand to present the Balanced Image trophy to the new champion.

Saturday was ‘92.3 The Dock Night at the Races,’ and Jean Yenssen of Mount Forest, Ontario won a $1,000 travel voucher from Hanover Travel.

Next week, Hanover Raceway plays host to three-year-old trotting fillies in the Ontario Sires Stakes. The OSS program will provide 100 t-shirts to fans who purchase the first 100 programs at the information kiosk, and CKNX Radio will be on hand to give away a 50″ Smart TV to one lucky fan. There will also be a live band playing as Craig Dougan from the Almost Hip will be on-hand with music in between the races. Post time next Saturday, September 5 is 7:15 p.m.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Hanover Raceway)