by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Tawny won a cavalry charge to the finish line to score a 1:53.1 victory in the $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, March 1 at Dover Downs. Toy Dragon won her fourth in a row, taking the sub-featured $17,000 distaff pace.

Tawny won a battle at the wire in the Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday.

Owned by Skip Miller, Tawny, trained and driven by meet leader Brad Hanners, sat fifth in a field reduced to six starters when race favorite Jett Away was scatched. Roses Best, handled by Toby Lynch, took the lead early and led until the turn for home. On the backstretch, Hanners pulled Tawny to the outside to follow Cams Little Imp N, who quickly rolled up to be second on the outside. As the field straightened out at the top of the lane there were four horses across storming down the stretch. Cams Little Imp N and Ross Wolfenden took the lead briefly, but Tawny had the most speed, getting up at the wire in 1:53.1. Jim Morand hustled Clock Watcher from last, blitzing to within a neck of the winner, with Cams Little Imp N taking third.

Dover Downs Photos

Toy Dragon won her fourth straight in the sub-featured pace.

In the $17,000 Mares Pace, Joe and JoAnn Thomson’s Toy Dragon steamed away from the starting gate from post eight in a rush with Steve Warrington at the controls. The Dragon’s Lair four-year-old opened up a big lead on the backstretch as Go Flyin N (Brad Hanners) took off from fifth chasing after the leader. But Toy Dragon would not be caught as she posted a 1:52.3 victory, her fourth in a row. Go Flyin N was second best. Rain Dance Kim closed to finish third.

My Gal Phyl, owned by Clair Corle and trainer-driver Roger Hammer, hit paydirt for the first time in 2005, scoring a 1:54.1 victory in an $11,500 Filly and Mare Pace. Not Aday Goes By (Brad Hanners) was second with Heart Escape (Jim Morand) third.

Helen Looney and JoAnn King’s Pretty Goal Vita closed on the far outside to score a 1:59.3 win in an $11,000 featured trot for trainer-driver Jim King. Bullville Sue (Travis Bowman) was runner-up with R Little Am Lo (Eddie Davis, Jr.) the show horse.

Jim Morand piloted a back-to-back double, driving Debby Avery’s Fake The Moment to a 1:55 victory in a $10,000 Mares Pace and followed with a 1:57.4 victory in one of two $9,000 conditioned trots, guiding Brooks Stable and trainer Kevin Sizer’s Rose Run Casanova to the winner’s circle.

Mary Witko’s Passing Point, reined by meet leader Brad Hanners, notched a 1:57.3 triumph in the other $9,000 trot.

Claiming paces to top Wednesday’s card

Two $40,000 claiming paces will top the Wednesday, March 2 card at Dover Downs. Post time will be at 4:30 p.m.

Art Brewer’s Sporty Nate will put a three race win streak on the line when he steps up in class in one of two $40,000 claiming races. Two other starters will also advance in price after having been claimed from wining efforts their last time out: Ring Of Life was claimed for the fourth straight time, and will now race for Tim Hunderpfund and Roland Wainwright, and Ross Wolfenden will drive and will start from post position nine, in the second tier, and Herve Filion will drive Wynfield Bob in what will be the pacer’s first start for Club Risque Stable and Brandrew Racing.

Larry Hughes’ Last Card Johnnie will make his claiming debut with Rick Murphy in the bike. Arty Foster, Jr.’s Just Like Sam, with Jim Morand to drive, will leave from the rail, and Foul Shot Farms and Doc & Me, Inc.’s Syrius B will start alongside the former, and will be driven by Brad Hanners.

The other starters will be Curtis Larrimore’s ANZAC, to be handled by Kevin Lare, David Hill’s Keystone Reggie, to be reined by Eddie Dennis, and Secret Harbor, owned by Rodney Long, VIP Empire Stable, and trainer Greg Trotto, and who will have Vic Kirby in his bike.

In the other $40,000 claiming race, Tyler A (Sean Bier), recently acquired by Wendy Crissman, will make his local debut and will take on Rodney Mitchell’s Swinging Scooter A (Eddie Davis), Howard Taylor’s Jate’s Jake (Ed Nickle), Butter Free (Bret Brittingham), owned by Elbert Harrington and Betty Brittingham, and Carter Racing Stable’s Bonn Rocket N (Jim Morand).

Elwood J Blues N (Eddie Davis, Jr.), now owned by Rodney Long and Howard Bowen, won both times while racing for a $40,000 tag. Irwin Samelman’s Hezaumpn Bluegrass (Frank Milby) has drawn an inside post position for the first time in several starts. Nick and Corey Callahan’s JP Hickory (Ross Wolfenden) drew the rail, and Gemini Racing’s Iced Yankee (Kevin Sizer) will leave from post position eight.

A $25,000 race, two $20,000 claiming races, a $12,000 race, an $11,400 race, and a $10,200 pace for young horses are also on the 15 race card.

Dover Downs races 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.