by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — In years past “Trader Bud” Hatfield is always among the point leaders in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series and many times has won the trophies for accumulating the most points in the Midwest Region and has won the overall points categories several times, also.

But this season Hatfield has only driven in three races and on Saturday, August 21, the super car baron from Columbus, Ohio returned to the winner’s circle when he guided his veteran trotter Done Dreamen to a 2:05.2 triumph at the Lake County Fair in Painesville, Ohio.

Hatfield, a bona fide member of the former feuding Hatfield’s who tangled relentlessly with the McCoy’s, sat patiently off the pace while Bob “Lumberman” Troyer and Candacraigh cut the fractions over the early going. However, Hatfield moved Done Dreamen from fourth position at the three-quarters and followed “Tar Heel Tom” Williams’ first-up move with Double A and when the field headed for paydirt Done Dreamen rallied and drew off to a two length victory. Celebrity Yank, in rein to the “Mighty Milton” Smith, who never moved until the top of the stretch, charged home second best while Double A and Williams faded and finished third.

For Hatfield, a former National Amateur Driver of the Year, it marked his 214th career triumph.

Billings action in the Midwest Region will continue at the Darke Country Fair in Greenville, Ohio on Thursday, August 26, while the Eastern Region action will be at Vernon Downs on Saturday, August 28.