by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — The prestigious Classic Series for older horses opens its 2009 season on Monday, April 6, at Dover Downs.

A select field of five contest the $86,000 Pacing Classic, led by Wayne Givens and Niel Gargiulo’s Winbak Speed (Ron Pierce), the leading money winning horse thus far this year. He will be challenged by John Cancelliere’s Western Shore (Andy Miller), Joe Smith’s Allamerican Idol (Brian Sears), Frog Juice (Jim Morand) racing for Gary and Barbara Iles, and Bulletproof Enterprises’ Riggins (David Miller) from the rail.

The $85,000 Trotting Classic is led by world champion and track record holder Enough Talk (Pierce), the all-time fastest trotter, owned by P Keinhans Racing and Jerry Silva, and one-time Hambletonian champion and Trotter of the Year Vivid Photo, racing for driver Roger Hammer and Todd Schadel. They face Trillium Racing Stable’s Green Day (George Brennan), Four Starz Speed (Dave Palone), racing for Howard Taylor, Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing Stable, Flowing Mineral Farm’s Michaelrowyourboat (Tim Tetrick) from the rail and Larry Roman’s Swan Image (David Miller) from outside post six.

White Birch Farm’s Darlin’s Delight (Yannick Gingras), winner of the recent Overbid Final, leads five challengers in the $85,000 Classic Distaff. The other starters are Jeff Snyder’s homebred Woobine standout Michelle’s Power (Jody Jamieson), Martha Maxine (Andy Miller), winner of the Cape & Cutter for owners Tony Alagna, Brittany Farms and Erv Miller Stable, Bulletproof Enterprises’ Cuz She Can (Brennan) and a two-horse entry of Southwind Tempo (Tetrick), owned by Jerry Silva and Let It Ride Stable, and Mind Boggling (Eric Goodell), for owners Mentally and Let It Ride stables.

With 14 entries, the Classic Oaks is split into two $60,000 sections. Track record holder Buck I St Pat (Tetrick), the 2008 Trotting Mare of the Year, owned by Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Abe Basen and Dr. Ron Fuller, meets P Kleinhans Racing’s Lavec Dream (Pierce), Shanamphilaniklou Inc.’s Hawaiianphotograph (Palone), Herb Liverman’s Spice Queen (Sears), Ed Mullinax and Frank Dettore’s Up Front Hotsey (Mike Vanderkemp), trainer Misty and driver David Miller’s Autumn Escapade and Tyler Raymer and Trillium Racing’s Summertime Yankee (Brennan).

The other $60,000 distaff edition finds Sylvia Burke and Randy Ringer’s Afternoon Dreams (Palone) seeking her sixth straight win taking on the “Dover Darling” Allmar Surprise, owned by driver Vic Kirby and Matt Ivory. The others starters are Elmer Fannin’s Kadealia (Tetrick), Arlene and Jules Siegel’s Stage Show (Brennan), Falls For You (Sears), racing for Ted Gewertz, Willow Pond and Fair Winds Farm, Classic Lane (Tony Morgan), owned by Bob and Lauren Tucker, and Sholty and JML Stables’ Morguns Sweetheart (Gingras).

In addition, the Dover Downs Monday card includes two $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund finals for colt and filly pacers, and a $40,000 Open Preferred Pace. Post time is 4:30 p.m.