by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Sparkler, after finishing second by a head in his last two starts, made the winner’s circle in the first of two $25,000 claiming paces on Thursday, November 15, at Dover Downs. Iwannabesedated won the other co-feature. Tony Morgan had a five-win day.

Foto Won photo

Sparkler was a 1:54 winner for Tony Morgan.

Tony Morgan drove Sparkler into the lead in mid-stretch and then sped away for a 1:54 victory in the first $25,000 claiming pace. Bobby Glassmeyer is owner and trainer of the 6-year-old son of Jate Lobell. Truly Chris (George Dennis) held on for second in front of Master Of Fools (Mike Cole).

In the other $25,000 claimer, Corey Callahan chalked up his second win of the night, guiding Bill Emmons’ Iwannabesedated to an easy 1:53.2 score. In Hot Pursuit HR (Tony Morgan) was second. Brookfieldpoketime (Tim Tetrick) was the show horse.

Art’s Sake, also owned and trained by Bobby Glassmeyer, scored his third win in a row and was then claimed in a $20,000 claiming pace. Tony Morgan guided the Artsplace 4-year-old gelding to his ninth win of the season. Random Rogue (Ross Wolfenden) closed past early pacesetter Racsan Nuke (Tim Tetrick) for second.

Tony Morgan extended his early meet lead with his five wins. Tim Tetrick and Jim Morand had two wins each, and for the second straight day, Mike Cole had a driving double. Owner-trainer Bobby Glassmeyer had three wins while Nick Callahan haltered two winners.

Dover Downs Extra

Ladyfield is one of this year’s rags-to-riches stories in Delaware racing. Vic Keeler II purchased the Michigan-bred 4-year-old pacing mare that had been racing in Chicago.

When she made her first start at Dover Downs, she had earned around $3,500 in purses. It didn’t take long for Ladyfield to begin her climb through the ranks for her new owners, Keeler’s mother, Joyce, his wife, Linda, and sister-in-law, Kathleen.

On Tuesday, November 13, the daughter of Armbro Cadet won her 11th race of the year to bring her seasonal bankroll to $139,011.

Driver Tony Morgan, who was instrumental in Keeler’s purchase of Ladyfield, has driven her in most of her races and says, “Keeler has done a wonderful job bringing her along. Even though she’s had 31 races, she’s put on a couple of hundred pounds and looks great!”

A racing accident on Tuesday sent Allan Davis to the sidelines, joining his father, veteran Eddie Davis, the all-time leading driver in the Delaware Valley.

The senior Davis has been idle since early in the Harrington meet when he sustained serious back injuries in a racing accident.

The younger Davis, who had been enjoying a successful season pinch hitting for his dad, suffered a broken wrist and arm injuries when his mother’s horse, Seasmstreforthepan broke stride at the start of the ninth race and went down. Allan will be out of action until early in the New Year.

Brandon Givens, who was also injured in a racing accident at Harrington in late Summer, is expected back sometime in early 2008.

With every win between now and December 31, Tim Tetrick adds to the all-time one season money-winning driver record. Tetrick broke the former record of $15,088,714 set by Brian Sears in 2005.

A week ago, Tetrick joined an elite list as the third driver in history to reach the four-figure plateau in wins in one season. Tetrick now focuses on the all-time single season record for wins, 1,077, set by Walter Case, Jr. in 1998. Tony Morgan, with 1,004 wins in 2006, is the only other driver with more than 1,000 wins in one season.

During the 2005-06 Dover Downs meet, Tony Morgan set the all-time track record setter with 447 wins. Last meet, Tim Tetrick became only the second driver in track history to win more than 400 races, completing the 2006-07 meet with 416 wins.

Currently, Morgan leads all drivers this meet at the track with 42 wins. Tim Tetrick is second with 36. Jim Morand is third in the standing with 25, and with two wins on Thursday, Corey Callahan has moved ahead of Ross Wolfenden into fourth place with 21 wins to Wolfenden’s 20.

Twice defending trainer champion Josh Green and Dylan Davis head the early trainer standings with 12 winners each. Tim Crissman is third with 10 wins. Les Givens has haltered nine wins, while Crissy Crissman has eight.

The track is dark, featuring only simulcast racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.