by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Bushwacker rolled out of post seven to take the lead and fought off a slew of challengers to score a 1:51.2 victory, the third in his last four starts, in the $30,000 Preferred Pace, while Art Stafford Jr. notched his third win of the day in the $27,500 Delaware Special, highlighting a big Thursday (Feb. 2) Dover Downs program.

Fotowon photo

Bushwacker collects his third victory from his last three trips to the post on Thursday evening at Dover Downs.

Defending driver champion Corey Callahan, who scored his second win on a three-win night, drove Henderson Farms’ Bushwacker for trainer Chris Ryder, with Cajon Lightning (Stafford Jr.), who finished second for the third straight time, behind him and Dancin Yankee (Ross Wolfenden), a winner of $1.5-million, third.

In the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap, Stafford Jr., who drove the winners of both halves of the daily double, came from off the pace with Blazing Bobby Sox to catch front-pacing Remember VK (Yannick Gingras) in deep stretch, with Captive Audience (Callahan) second and Mustang Art (Vic Kirby), the third-place horse.

Engel and JL Benson Stables’ Toatsmygoats was at his best in a $15,500 male pace turning back eight rivals with a 1:51.3 triumph, equaling his lifetime best clocking. Pat Berry was in the bike for trainer Nick Surick for the Relentless Yankee-This Much Is True gelding’s 17th career win. Don’t Ya Know (Callahan) was runner-up in front of Ballinrobe (Allan Davis).

Tony Morgan steered Niss Allen’s Ima Rebel to his first win of the new year scoring a lifetime record 1:52.1 victory in a $15,000 4-and 5-year-old pace. Willard Reynolds conditions the Skydancer Hanover-Ali Cat gelding. Suchasenseofhumor (Jim Morand) was the second-place finisher. Sonny At The Beach (Kirby), an early leader, held on for third.

The husband and wife team of driver Sean and Crissy Bier combined for back-to-back wins. Sean Bier’s Brody won a 1:51.2 decision racing in a $20,000 male pace. R.J.Thomas’ Jet Blue Miracle came right back, also from post one, to win a $15,000 male claiming event.

After a long climb from far back, Callahan, the defending champion, jumped into first place in the meet’s dash win column with three wins to now lead second place Vic Kirby by three victories.

Bier and Gingras had two winners each. Trainers Crissy Bier and Dylan Davis, who also had two owner wins, had doubles.

The biggest win payoff on the card was $98.80 when Arty Foster’s 48-1 shot Rock Me Henry with Russell Foster driving, closed along the passing lane to beat Officer Blue Chip (Jason Lynch) ending that horses five-race win streak.