by Marv Bachrad, publcity director, Dover Downs

DOVER, DE — Driven To Win set a track record for a four-year-old with a 1:51 victory in the $35,000 Preferred Handicap pace on Monday, March 21 at Dover Downs.

Fotowon

Driven To Win enjoyed a perfect trip in winning the $35,000 Preferred Handicap pace on Monday, March 21 at Dover Downs in a track record 1:51.

In the feature race, Driven To Win enjoyed a perfect trip following Brian Sears-driven Master This from the start until turning for home and then David Miller hustled the Ted Gewertz, Martha and Milton Franks and trainer Joe Holloway-owned Driven To Win to a 1:51 victory, setting a track record for a four-year-old pacer in the $35,000 Preferred pace. It was the first win of the new year for the Jenna’s Beach Boy-sired bay. Master This raced a game second with last week’s event winner Beware Beret flying down the passing lane for Ross Wolfenden to finish third. Driven To Win has now won $45,322 this season and $434,088 in his career.

Time Flies N, the odds-on race favorite and only distaff in the seven horse $32,500 Delaware Special, recorded a 1:52 win with Brian Sears, his second on the card. Bramealea Road finished a fast closing second for George Dennis but was disqualified and set back to third for interference with Make A Success in front of the grandstand. The Eddie Davis Jr. driven Make A Success was then placed second. The track and world record for an older mare pacer is 1:50.2 set by Bunny Lake in last Spring’s Distaff Classic.

Brian Sears moved Bill Emmons’ Kilkerran Scot to the outside at the top of the lane to take the lead and then held off Beecher Park and Brad Hanners at the wire in 1:52.2 to win the $27,000 Open pace. It was the seven-year-old geldings third win in 2005 along with five thirds, raising his seasonal bankroll to $46,120. Ashlee’s Big Guy with Jim Morand closed to get third money.

Call Me Jate, owned by Chuck Sylvester, Juniper II and Having Fun Stable, survived an inquiry to post a 1:53.1 success in the $21,000 Jr. Open pace. Saucy Master N raced gamely after being unable to get the lead until the half yet still finished second for Kevin Sizer. Pat Berry drove JT Arturo to a third-place finish.

Sean Bier guided Bill Bignall’s BJ’s Breeze to a 1:53.1 score in an $18,000 Delaware Winners-Over pace. Tyler A (Brian Sears) was next with Cornas (Jim King) the show horse. Transit Earl A was scratched.

Brad Mitchell’s The Tar Heel Stable’s razor sharp Iwannabesedated, with Brad Hanners at the controls, used the passing lane to overtake pacesetter Pfeil (Brian Sears) at the wire for a 1:53 victory in the first of two $17,500 Delaware Winners-Over paces. Ace Of Diamonds (Pat Berry) was third.

Green Racing’s Dreamfair Titan made it two-in-a-row as Jim Morand made the winner’s circle for the second time winning a $17,500 Delaware Winners-Over pace in 1:52.2. Canaco Noblet (Ross Wolfenden) stepped lively to finish second in front of Perfectly Awful (Cat Manzi).

Brad Hanners began a three-win day steering Jeff Franklin and Todd Wise’ Rocky Spur to a 1:53.3 win in a $14,400 Delaware pace. Gift From Monte (Ross Wolfenden) closed for second while front-pacing Dream Wave (Kenny Mitchell) hung on for third.

In $30,000 Claiming paces, Gary Wolf’s Jingling won in a lifetime fastest 1:53.3 after three consecutive second-place finishers as Hall of Famer Cat Manzi drove the win. Syrius B (Brian Sears) came flying to finish second. Macho Uno (Herve Filion) took the passing lane to finish third.

Martin Scharf’s Foreverinmydreams was untroubled in a 1:53.3 wire-to-wire performance for Jim Morand’s fourth winner of the night in a second $30,000 claimer. Life Moves On (Brian Sears) was next. Moves (Hal Belote) was the show horse. It was the second win for trainer Josh Green.

Village Blitz, owned by Robert Figliozzi and Richard Roberts, won for the third straight time as Steve Warrington guided a wire-to-wire 1:53.3 triumph in a $25,000 Claiming Pace. Albagold (Cat Manzi) closed strongly to finish second in front of Porcini Hanover (Travis Bowman).

Gemini Racing’s Iced Yankee became Jim Morand’s third win and second for meet leading trainer Kevin Lare, as the veteran pacer was never headed winning a $25,000 claimer in 1:57. Mr .Socks (Vic Kirby) stalked the winner and finished second with Marlars Trump Card (George Dennis) third.

West Coast Arturo notched a 1:53.2 score in a $25,000 Mares Claiming pace giving Brian Sears a driving double and Chuck Crissman a training double. It was the second consecutive win for West Coast Arturo and also a second win for owner Wendy Crissman who owns the four-year-old Arturo mare with Foul Shot Farms. Chessy Rose (Jim Morand) was runner-up. Noble Surfer (Eddie Davis Jr.) completed the trifecta.

Crossfire N to seeks another

Last year’s Horse of the Meet at Dover Downs, Crossfire N, will seek a second straight win in a $27,000 Mares Open Handicap pace on Tuesday at Dover Downs. Post time will be at 4:30 p.m. (EST).

An 11-race winner last year, Crossfire N, owned by Wendy Crissman and 49 Racing Stables, has gotten off to a slow start in 2005, but last week showed signs she is back in top form when he notched a 1:51³ victory after an overland trip, with Mike Cole holding the reins. Skip Miller’s Tawny, who had won the previous two top female races at the track, turned in her poorest performance since she arrived at the track when she finished eighth for the meet’s leading driver, Brad Hanners. Jeff Franklin’s consistent Clock Watcher finish a strong second, with Jim Morand driving last week, and Les Walls and Jack Upchurch’ Cams Little Imp N and Ross Wolfenden finished third.

For the first time since early January, 2005, Amy Warrington’s Isn’t She Fancy will bring a five-race win streak into action on Monday, and Vic Kirby will drive the 4-year-old. For the second straight time, Brooks Stables’ veteran Hasty Dewar made it to the winner’s circle last week with trainer-driver Kevin Sizer aboard, who directed her through the passing lane. Joe and JoAnn Thomson’s Toy Dragon, to be reined by Steve Warrington, will attempt to regain her winning edge after her four-race string was snapped last Tuesday. Miss Mackintush, with trainer-driver Bob Corey aboard, will make her second start after having arrived from the tough Chicago circuit.

Jonas White and Harness the Power’s Ann Other Porsche (Steve Warrington) will head a strong field of nine in a $18,000 winners-over pace for mares. Two starters won last time out, Rodney Mitchell’s Canaco Lily (Eddie Davis) and trainer-driver Roger Hammer’s RN Artist. Two other fast females will make their first appearance at the track after having raced at the Meadowlands: Howard Taylor’s stakes-seasoned Jennie Fanetta (Eddie Nickle) and Patrick Callahan’s Cha Cha Ching (Ross Wolfenden) will start at Dover on Tuesday.

The rest of the cast will include Debbie Avery’s Fake The Moment N (Jim Morand), Jeff Franklin’s Rain Dance Kim (Travis Bowman), Seasin, owned, trained, to be driven by Roger Plante, and Les Walls and Jack Upchurch’s super-sharp Go Flyin N (Brad Hanners).

Another strong field of female pacers will tangle in a $13,500 race, which will be led by Jeff and David Clark’s Bluebird Wanda (Hal Belote), Rodney Long’s Mapua Magic N (Ross Wolfenden), and Clair Corle and trainer-driver Roger Hammer’s My Gal Phyl.

Dover Downs has added a Pick 4 to its wagering format, and it will be featured on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh races each day, and a fifth Superfecta has been added to the track’s daily, six-day-a-week, 15 race schedule. Superfectas will be offered on the third, fifth, ninth, 13th, and 15th races. Simulcasting from major harness and Thoroughbred tracks is featured daily, from noon until midnight (EST).

Again this year, Dover Downs will race on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and on Monday through Thursday, post time will be at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.