by Cheri Stambaugh

Frederick, MD — With regular driver Corey Callahan at the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio and Googoo Gaagaa needing a race, owner-trainer Richard Hans got to do his favorite thing — drive in a race.

Cheri Stambaugh photo

Googoo Gaagaa was driven to a second place finish by trainer Richard Hans.

It wasn’t the Open at a big track or a 4-year-old stake, it was in the FFA race at the local Frederick County (MD) fair.

Richard Hans has always supported the fair races, bringing two or three most days, doing his own driving and having a great time. There are four to six races a day, some going two heats, and it lets the local people enjoy our sport the old fashioned way.

While most of the racing world was glued to the Little Brown Jug card, the locals young and old were watching Googoo Gaagaa in race four, the FFA trot at the Great Frederick Fair.

Veteran reinsman John Wagner took Cool Colby to the front as the gate closed and didn’t look back. Richard Hans and Googoo Gaagaa got away third, keeping out of trouble, and when they all settled he moved up to the pocket behind Cool Colby.

When they reached the last turn, Hans looked like he was going to challenge Wagner’s lead but Cool Colby still had a little reserve in the tank. Cool Colby, owned and trained by Arlene Cameron, stopped the clock in 2:00. Googoo Gaagaa finished second.

“I guess I still need a little more practice before I try for Corey’s win record,” joked Hans after the race.

The father-son team of Joe and Timmy Offutt each came away with a win in heats of the FFA pace, Timmy winning with Native Sign and Joe returning to the winner’s circle with Lady Drama.

Other winners on the card were Mattox’s Western, owned and driven by Wayne Johnson, taking both heats of the other FFA pace and John Wagner getting his second win with Powerful Yield, owned by Arlene Cameron, in the other trot.

Racing continues through Saturday at The Great Frederick Fair.