by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Bushwacker, the richest horse of early 2016, won the $30,000 Preferred Handicap Pace for the second straight week at Dover Downs on Monday (Feb. 8).

Fotowon photo

Tim Tetrick piloted Bushwacker to a 1:50.4 triumph on Monday.

After Mustang Art, with Sean Bier, took the featured pacers to the quarter in :25.4, Tim Tetrick pulled Bushwacker to the outside in front of the grandstand to take lead at the half in :54.3.

Bushwacker was in command through a 1:22.1 three-quarters and had enough to reach the finish line in 1:50.4 with Mustang Art second. Doctor Butch came on in the lane for Tony Morgan to finish third.

The 5-year-old altered son of Rocknroll Hanover-Dolphins Can Talk, conditioned by Chris Ryder, won for the fifth time in 2016 and sixth in his last eight for Henderson Farms. It was his 17th career win with a $426,212 lifetime bankroll. Bushwacker has now won $71,100 already in 2016.

Frank Chick’s Warp Factor Three, trained by Kevin Lare, made good use of starting from post one with Yannick Gingras, scoring a 1:52 victory in a $15,500 male pace. Skyway Gladiator (Mike Rossi) was second in front of Apollo Seelster (Jonathan Roberts).

Russ Foster, the youngest driver in the race at 26, drove Sentencing Memo, the youngest horse in the event, a 3-year-old, to a fast closing triumph in a $14,000 pace for young male horses. Suchasenceofhumor (Jim Morand) was runner-up with Roll Big (Corey Callahan), the favorite, third. Veteran Arty Foster, the driver’s grandfather, owns and trains the Western Terror-Lady Annie gelding, who won for the fourth time in five outings and sixth time in seven starts.

In a $14,000 male Winners Over Pace, owner Foulk Stable won for the first time since claiming Sparky Mark for $50,000 in December, as Jonathan Roberts, who had a driving triple, piloted the 9-year-old son of Astreos-Luckbealadytonite to a 1:51.2 triumph. It was one of two training wins for meet leader Dylan Davis. Just A Jolt (Tetrick), the race favorite, finished strongly for second with Don’t Ya Know (Vic Kirby) the show horse.

Rocknroll Jewell gave Gingras a double, winning for the sixth consecutive time, notching a 1:51.2 conquest in a $12,000 male pace. Tom Lazzaro owns the Rocknroll Hanover-Michelle’s Jewell gelding trained by Dylan Davis. Gallic Beach (Callahan) went a big trip and finished second. Believe This Bob (Ross Wolfenden) was a close third.

In a day of big prices, 21-1 Millennium Wheel was the biggest, scoring a 1:52 decision in a $20,000 male claiming allowance. Trainer Jason Lynch shares ownership with Jim Jacobs in the Bettor’s Delight-London Eye gelding. Beavercreek Artist (Allan Davis) and Brioni (Tony Morgan), whose seven-race win streak came to an end, were second and third, respectively.

Jonathan Roberts had three wins, while Montrell Teague, Allan Davis, Yannick Gingras and trainer Dylan Davis had two wins each.