After purchasing Frost Free Hanover in late May, owner 'Lawbook' Larry Farley had entrusted the driving duties to various catch-drivers but on Saturday afternoon the retired attorney and talented amateur driver jumped up behind his charge and guided him to 2:02.1 triumph in a Midwest region Billings trot at the Fulton County Fair.
Sent off as second choice from the pole position in the five-horse field Farley sent his trotter to the front and played hard ball with I'll Tell You What and driver Richard “the Wolverine” Roach parking them the entire mile through fractions of :29.3, :59.1 and 1:30 2 before the challenger began to fade.
Up the backside Steve “You're Never too” Oldford and Stirling Boudica became the main threat but they couldn't overtake the leader as Frost Free Hanover hung tough all the way to the wire. Oldford’s trotter finished 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner. Walltocousins and driver Gregg 'Fast Greggy' Keidel finished third, some 7-1/4 lengths behind Frost Free Hanover.
Owned by Farley and trained by Terry Deters, Frost Free Hanover won for the fourth time this season and returned an $8.80 mutuel.
For Farley, a long-time horse owner and avid amateur driver, today's victory was his 59th since he began driving.
(CKG Billings Series)