from Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – May 1, 2005 – Durgin Hanover [$28,80, $11.40, $8.00] fired off the gate, was on top at every call and held on for a three-quarter length victory in the fifth race, the $49,255 Father Foley Final on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Durgin Hanover improved his record to four wins, two seconds and one third from 10 starts this year, trotting the mile in a lifetime best of 1:53.4. Victory Cruise set the Father Foley stakes record of 1:53.3 in 2003.

Lisa Photo

Durgin Hanover took the Father Foley Final on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands in a lifetime best 1:53.4.

Hurri Kane Billy G [$7.60, $4.40] was third across the wire but placed second when Dink Adoo [$4.20] was disqualified and placed third for a lapped on break near the wire.

“He’s got good gate speed, and I figured I used that and get covered up,” said David Miller, the driver of Durgin Hanover. “Dube [Daniel Dube with Rickie] was trying to fish into the two-hole but when he couldn’t he was kind to me and just floated outside.

“He trotted on his own,” Miller added. “The stretch was getting long but he held on. He’s a big strong horse, and I don’t see why he couldn’t jump up [to race the free for allers].”

Durgin Hanover, a four-year-old son of Lindy Lane – Daring Victoria, now has career earnings of $188,666 for owners James Snyder of Wooster, Ohio and the husband-wife training team of Rodney and Sally Bolon of Washington, Pennsylvania.

“We haven’t staked him in a lot of races,” acknowledged Sally Bolon. “He doesn’t turn four until June, so he’s a young four. He finally got a little bit of luck, and a little respect, now. He’s got the Cutler coming up [on May 21 at the Meadowlands with elims on May 13]. He’ll have his hands full in there, but he’ll be respectful in there.”