by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Longshots prevailed in both lucrative Dover Downs co-feature races when 17-1 Dapper Dude won a tenacious homestretch battle in the $30,000 Preferred and Mustang Art got up at 13-1 in the $27,500 Delaware Special on Monday (Jan. 25).

Fotowon photo

Dapper Dude was a neck winner on Monday at Dover.

Turning for home race favorite Bushwacker, piloted by Tim Tetrick and riding a three-race win streak, had a short lead but was under duress with Major Uptrend and Corey Callahan coming on the outside, while Alan Davis and Adventure Bound were closing along the passing lane. However, Dapper Dude was coming on fastest of all behind the urging of Vic Kirby to reach the finish line first in 1:51.

The razor-sharp chestnut son of The Panderosa-Dress To Suggest enjoyed an impressive record in his previous six races with two win, two seconds and two thirds while racing for trainer Jim King and owner Richard Pollucci. Major Uptrend was right there in finishing second with Bushwacker a tight third.

The win was Dapper Dude’s 21st lifetime with earnings of $892,900.

The passing lane became the difference in the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap. Marcus Miller and Mustang Art rolled along the pylons to score a 1:52 conquest at 13-1 odds for owners Max Walton and Greg Papaleo.

A regular at the track in top events, the Artiscape-Paula Seelster gelding trained by Jim McGuire posted his 41st career victory, good for $683,752 in earnings. Captive Audience (Callahan) came charging through the stretch to take second in front of early leader Just A Jolt (Tetrick).

Several streaking horses added on with victories. Arty Foster’s Brioni, a son of Four Starzzz Shark-Armbro Bahama, won for the sixth straight start as Marcus Miller guided a 1:52.4 win in a $15,000 male claiming pace. Tom Lazzaro’s Rocknroll Jewell (Gingras) won his fifth in a row, scoring a 1:51.2 triumph in the $20,000-$25,000 male claiming handicap and Sentencing Memo and Russ Foster took the passing lane to post win number four in a row in a $12,000 pace for young horses in 1:53, giving owner-trainer Arty Foster a double.