by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — A pair of hard-hitting newcomers – Macon Georgia A and Missle J – along with six swift stalwarts tangle in the $25,000 Open pace at Dover Downs on Thursday (Jan. 11).

John McGill and Brian Carsey’s Missle J, no stranger to local fans, returns after a big 2017 season with Jonathan Roberts in the bike and is 8-1 on the morning line.

Fotowon photo

Missile J is 8-1 on the morning line for the Thursday feature at Dover Downs.

Macon Georgia A, recently claimed for $50,000 by Bill and John Emmonds and Bamond Racing, will join him. He had seven wins banking $130,815 last year and is 9-2 .

Among the regulars, Niss Allen and Crissman Inc.’s Major Uptrend (3-1) has been a potent force in track top events last meet with Tony Morgan, his regular driver.

Cajon Lightning, owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms, has already won four feature races this season with Art Stafford Jr. at the controls. Returning after a pair of seconds in Meadowlands features is the Wayne Givens trained Sweet Rock racing for Reggie Hazzard and Legacy Racing. He starts from post eight.

Other major contenders are the Corey Callahan driven Arque Hanover for Abe Basen, Tom Lazzaro, and Robert Cooper Stable, the red-hot Baileys Rock N with Tim Tetrick, who steps up after six wins in his last seven starts, Gerries Sport, a top-class Indiana pacer owned by Rich Lombardo, Carl Atley and Gerrie Tucker, with driver Allan Davis, to complete the strong field of eight.

Another outstanding undercard presents two $25,000-$35,000 Claiming Handicaps, an $18,000, a $16,000 and a $14,000 paces along with a pair of $25,000, $30,000, $35,000 Claimers on the 13-race power-packed program.

Dover Downs now offers a 50-cent Pick 5 wager, starting with the second race through the sixth. A late daily double is carded for the 12th and 13th races.

Racing is set each Monday through Thursday with post time at 4:30 p.m.