In her first five career starts, Fanfare Well did not have Ajhari Williams in the saddle and the best she could muster up at Mountaineer Casino & Resort was one third-place finish. 

    Williams was introduced to the 3-year-old First Dude filly for a five-furlong turf race on July 19 and Fanfare Well led every step of the way but the last, finishing second by a head at odds of 25-1. Las night, in her seventh try, Williams guided Fanfare Well to her first victory, a wire-to-wire effort at a flat mile on the grass, and she paid $15.20 after holding off 7/5 favorite Fracing Hot by a neck.

    Owner/breeder John R. Cothran Jr. was rewarded for his patience by collecting a check for $9,570, and First Dude was rewarded with winner No. 40 of 2022.