by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Hypothetical took the lead early for Tony Morgan and never looked back recording the first $18,000 Open/Handicap pace win of the New Year at Dover Downs on Thursday (Jan 25).

A $25,000 selection at the 2017 Standardbred Horse Sale, Hypothetical continues to pay dividends to trainer Brian Malone and his wife Carrie scoring his third win with three seconds in his last six starts since. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Restive Hanover held off a late surge from Allwillworkout (Corey Callahan) with Automatic Dragon (Vic Kirby) third to win in 1:51.4.

Fotowon photo

Hypothetical collects the first Open Handicap at Dover Downs in 2018.

Race favorite Q’s Cruise (Tim Tetrick) and third choice Highalator (Roger Plante) finished off the board

Callahan came on driving Cash Is King to victory in 1:52.3 to win a $16,000 Winners pace for trainer Nick Callahan, who owns the Rocknroll Hanover-Showherthemoney gelding with Lance Hood, Bonucelli Racing and Breakaway Racing.

Brian J. (Vic Kirby) and Gentlemen’s Bet (Art Stafford Jr.) were second and third respectively.

Little Ben came up big in one of two $14,000 Winners-Over paces to chalk up his fourth consecutive win. Tetrick sat second behind Major Uptrend (Tony Morgan) until deep stretch then closed along the passing lane to score a 1:50.3 triumph for trainer Jim King Jr. and owners Janet Hudson and JoAnn Looney-King.

Silver Fox J (Frank Milby) was third.

Little Ben is a Jereme’s Jet gelding out of Honey’s Bud Lite and won for the 30th time in his career. He has won $355,561 lifetime.

Star Messenger, who was a stablemate of Little Ben for nearly six years until being claimed last meet by Gary Ewing, notched his fastest win of 1:50.1 in another $14,000 division. Morgan enjoyed a perfect trip behind Moonliteonthebeach (Tetrick) before exploding out of second in midstretch to go by for his 27th career victory and $225,351 in earnings.

Feel Like A Fool (Jonathan Roberts) was third.

Another son of Somebeachsomewhere, Fashion Bythebeach, owned by David Miller, won his first race of 2018 when he scored in 1:51.1 decision in a $14,500 Winners pace with Vince Copeland handling the reins. Wichita Lineman (Allan Davis) was the runner-up. Fox Valley Inferno (Eddie Davis Jr.) was the show finisher.

In second $14,500 event, Real Kid got up for Jonathan Roberts in 1:53.1 besting Casino Bags Anso (Copeland) and early leader Big Bad Mike (Tetrick). The A Real Desire Lady-The Kid gelding trained by Kevin Lare and owned by Frank Chick, won for the first time this year in his second appearance.

In the first of two $25,000-$30,000-$35,000 Claiming/Handicaps, Jet Airway with Callahan moved out of third on the half-mile turn and battled front-pacing Western Young Gun until midstretch. The 7-year-old Jereme’s Jet horse then pulled away for a 1:51.2 victory for owner Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis.

Whirl Monroe (Kirby) hustled home second with Ideal Fashion (Morgan) third.

The same winning time of 1:51.2 was good enough for Cyclone Kiwi N to post a fifth consecutive victory for driver Tetrick and owner Bamond Racing who re-claimed the Jereme’s Jet-Another Kiwi gelding back last week and now lost him again via a $35,000 tag.

Dialamara (Callahan) came on for second with Reggiano (Morgan) taking third.

Tetrick won three races, while Morgan, Callahan and Roberts had doubles.

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