Frost Free Hanover, with Vic Kirby, made it two straight wins in the $20,000 Open Handicap Trot on a spring-like Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Dover Downs.
Similar to last week, Frost Free Hanover came from off the pace to beat Uva Hanover (Tony Morgan), second, and Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), third, in a three-horse driving finish to score a 1:53 victory in the feature race. Fourth heading to the last turn, Kirby found room and streaked home for the Cantab Hall-Free Spirit gelding’s third win of the meet for trainer Jim King Jr. and owner Richard Poillucci.
Kirby came right back to drive Steel Reserve to a 1:53.3 triumph in the $15,500 sub-feature trot for four and five-year-olds. This time, it was via the passing lane that Steel Reserve got up to edge Celebrity Pegasus (Art Stafford Jr.). He earned his second win in his last three outings. Kirby and Chris Giaccio own the Credit Winner-Iron Lass brown gelding. Go Byem (Jim Morand) led from before the half to nearing the finish line, but had to settle for third.
Kirby and Corey Callahan led all drivers with three wins each. Allan Davis, George Dennis and trainer Dylan Davis had two winners.
The top pace of the week, a $30,000 Preferred, matches Little Ben, Dancin Yankee and Clear Vision in an eight-horse feature race while Bushwacker and $7.5-million winner Foiled Again lead the $20,000 Open on another outstanding Thursday program (January 12) at Dover Downs.
(With files from Dover Downs)