by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Totally Rusty became the fastest 2-year-old filly pacer in Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund history on Monday (Dec. 8) as Corey Callahan drove her to a 1:52 victory in the last $100,000 final of the year.

Fotowon photo

Totally Rusty held off the previously unbeaten Purrfect Bags by a half-length.

Callahan made good use of starting from post one, taking the lead with the odds-on favorite. Right behind was Purrfect Bags, the second choice with Vic Kirby, the only rival to beat Totally Rusty when Purrfect Bags won the $100,000 DSBF final at Harrington Raceway in October, when Totally Rusty started from post eight.

Turning for home, Totally Rusty had the lead and burst down the lane with a :26.4 final panel to clinch her eighth win in nine starts. Purrfect Bags was second, a half-length behind, with Gigi Deo and Ross Wolfenden third. Totally Rusty has now banked $129,250 in her nine race career.

Bred and owned by Carter Racing Stable, Totally Rusty, the only foal of stallion Rusty’s For Real from Rusty’s Joy, both Carter-bred and owned, scored an all-time fastest 1:52 clocking in the Delaware-sired program. The former record was 1:53.4 set by Double Flip (Tony Morgan) in 2006.

Al “Rusty” Carter has raced horses in Delaware for more than a decade. Along with breeding and owning horses, plus coaching young boy and girl athletes, driving racing cars has become his other pastime. In recent years, he has competed in a number of well-known automobile races.

In the $20,000 DSBF consolation, owner-trainer Tony Dinges’ Love Forbidden opened a big lead on the backstretch on the way to a 1:56.2 victory for driver Tony Morgan. Buy Artzy (Allan Davis) finished second with Miss Ruby S (Ben Stafford Jr.) getting up for third.

For the second straight Monday and third time in four weeks, JFE Enterprises’ Handsoffmycookie recorded a victory in the top female pace of the week, the $18,000 Mares Open, notching a 1:52 success. Kiss Dont Bite (Kirby) finished second. Mach A Wish (Callahan), the race favorite, was third.

Scott DiDomenico conditions the Art Major-Observe Me 5-year-old who won for the seventh time this season. She has won $97,410 this year and $1,326,082 lifetime.

Corey Callahan, Vic Kirby and trainer Doug Lewis had two wins each.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing Friday and Saturday. Sunday racing starts at 5:30 p.m.