Dover, DE — Slick Tony avenged his defeat to Wiggle It Jiggleit last week with a 1:50.2 win in the $30,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Thursday night (Jan. 8) at Dover Downs.

Slick Tony parried a late charge from Wiggle It Jiggleit to take Thursday’s Preferred Pace at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

Rockin M protected the rail and cut early fractions of :26.2 and :55.1. Slick Tony and driver Ross Wolfenden was first to pull, angling out of fourth and expecting to find cover from Wiggle It Jiggleit and Montrell Teague, however Teague chose to remain on the rail. Slick Tony was then forced to continue his journey first-up, where he attacked pacesetter Rockin M through a :27.2 third quarter. Quality Bud became the benefactor, as he paced second-over behind Slick Tony.

At the seven-eighths pole, Wiggle It Jiggleit shook loose and Quality Bud mounted his charge off cover. However, they were both outfought by Slick Tony, who won by a neck for owner-trainer George Leager.

Wiggle It Jiggleit finished second as the 3-2 favorite, and Quality Bud was third.

In the $27,500 Blue Hen Open Pace, Little Ben got up in the final strides to win in 1:50.4, capping four-win nights for both trainer Jim King Jr. and driver Tim Tetrick.

Sicily left quickly, but allowed Blazing Bobby Sox to settle on the lead at the quarter in :26.4. Sicily retook the lead in front of the stands before Little Ben advanced out of fourth joined him nearing the half in :55.2. After a :26.2 third-quarter duel, Little Ben was able to wear down 6-5 favorite Sicily in deep stretch to win by a neck. Sicily was second; Silver Fox J finished a ground-saving third.