Frost Free Hanover rolled to a front-end victory in Thursday’s $60,000 Pennsylvania Stallions Series stake at The Meadows, his fifth consecutive win and his second in the stallions series.
The event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters was conducted over three divisions, with Explosive Cash and Kapow Hanover taking the other splits.
Frost Free Hanover compiled his streak by taking two series legs at The Meadows, winning a conditioned event and capturing a stallion series split at Harrah’s Philadelphia. On Wednesday, he vaulted to the lead for Brian Zendt and scored in 1:56.4, three lengths better than 51-1 bomb Lanes Caviar. Master Bedroom finished third.
“A lot of his success is due to his gate speed,” Zendt said. “He’s so quick the first few steps he always puts himself in a good spot. He’s had a little help being in the right divisions here and there. He’ll be a nice horse — he’s easy on himself, too.”
Leslie Zendt trains Frost Free Hanover, a Cantab Hall-Free Spirit gelding, and owns with Bill Zendt, Sig Wolkomir and Fred Kayne.
Explosive Cash, a loser in all 15 of his previous starts, followed cover for Eric Ledford and rallied wide in the lane to triumph at 12-1 in 1:57.3. Uriel Hanover was two lengths back in second, with Lighter Hanover third.
Trenton Watson, who conditions the son of Explosive Matter-CERT for Watson Stable and William Augustine, said he never lost faith in his $12,000 yearling acquisition during the colt’s protracted maidenhood.
“Eric took care of him here last year, teaching him to race,” Watson said. “We’ve had a little bad luck on draws and getting in with some real nice horses, but we had things go our way today. Eric kept telling me he would trot in 1:54 or 1:55 as a three-year-old. We’re not there yet, but hopefully we’re in the right direction.”
Kapow Hanover erased a 3-1/2-length deficit late with a charge through the stretch that carried him to victory for David Miller in 1:57.4. Tea Party Politics was second, a length in arrears, while Ada Glide completed the ticket.
“We have him staked to bigger races, but I want to start him out where he feels good. We can always step it up,” said Staffan Lind, who trains the son of Explosive Matter-Kimberidge Hanover — a $90,000 yearling purchase — for Bender Sweden Inc. “He’s eligible for the Earl Beal, so I’ll let him get a little braver. Then, if he’s good enough, I’ll put him in that one.”
Friday’s card at The Meadows features the Super Bowl, a $211,700 PA Sires stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. In the first division (Race 1), juvenile champion Father Patrick will attempt to extend his winning streak to 11. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)