by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Sensational Rainbow Blue makes her 2005 debut in a $50,000 Invitational Pace to headline an outstanding Monday, April 11 card at Dover Downs. Purses for the 15-race card range from $50,000 at the top to $14,500 at the lower level.

Fans in the stands will receive a number of Rainbow Blue souvenir items compliments of Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association (DSOA).

After three impressive qualifying starts, trainer George Teague pronounced the 2004 Horse of the Year in North America as ready to begin her four-year-old campaign. A winner of 20 of her 21 starts last season, Rainbow Blue will again be reunited with her regular driver, Hall of Famer designate Ron Pierce.

The Horse of the Meet last season, Wendy Crissman and 49 Racing’s Crossfire N, with Mike Cole, leads her six opponents. Crossfire N has won three of her last four races and $73,880 already this year.

Joey White and Harness The Power’s super sharp Ann Other Porsche, winner of last week’s $27,000 Mares Open, drew the rail with Steve Warrington driving.

Jeff Franklin’s steady Clock Watcher and David Miller is alongside with Skip Miller’s Tawny, handled by meet leading driver Brad Hanners, from post three.

Completing the all distaff lineup are Les Walls and Jack Upchurch’s consistent Cams Little Imp N with Ross Wolfenden and Martin Scharf’s House Flight with defending track driving champion Jim Morand.

The usual Monday headliner $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace is relegated to the supporting card. Driven To Win (David Miller) gave owners Ted Gewertz and Martha and Milton Frank, and trainer Joe Holloway his second win in three weeks last week.

Nick Callahan’s homebred Master This (Brian Sears) is enjoying a terrific start this year with all but one of his nine in the money, including four wins and $92,032 in earnings.

Dan and Tom Courtemanche’s Bobnoxious (Tim Curtin) is a leading contender for Horse of the Meet honors and has the most 2005 victories in the lineup with six, to go along with $110,850 in earnings.

The other starters are GR Associates’ stakes winner Life Is A Cabaret (Jim Morand), Tom Dillon and Walt Hight’s Ashlee’s Big Guy (Brad Hanners), Rojan Stables and Doc & Me Inc.’s Arizona Liar (Sean Bier) and Parker Callahan’s fast closing Beware Beret (Ross Wolfenden).

In the $32,500 Delaware Special, Gary and Barbara Iles’ Crew Cut Zach (Brad Hanners) seeks to join the $1 million club. A career winner of $996,305, the 10-year-old gelding must leave from outside post eight.

Elmer Fannin’s Make A Success (Eddie Davis, Jr.), Green Racing’s Dreamfair Titan (Jim Morand), and Rodney Mitchell’s Dream Wave (David Miller), a 1:51 winner last Monday, are among the contenders.

Levine, Casalino and Golden Goose Enterprises’ Stonebridge Premio (Brian Sears) and Jack Claypoole’s HR’s Mr Kelly (Roger Hammer), both winners last week, lead nine to post in the $28,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The balance of the card includes two $18,000, $16,100 and $14,500 Delaware paces, two $40,000, two $30,000, two $25,000 and two $20,000 claimers in the daily double.

Monday through Thursday post time at Dover is 4:30 p.m. No live racing Fridays and Saturdays in April. Sunday races start at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. The Winner’s Circle Restaurant is sold out.