by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — After a short absence, Jett Away returned to the scene of her most recent four wins to post a 1:52.4 victory in the $25,000 Mares Open Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday, February 22. Prank Player got up in the final step for a 1:56.2 win in the $11,500 featured trot.

Dover Downs Photo

Jett Away held off Cams Little Imp N in the Tuesday feature at Dover.

Jett Away used her love for the wide open spaces to return to the winner’s circle for the second time in 2005 and the fourth time in the Mares Open class this season as Bret Brittingham turned the five-year-old Dream Away daughter loose on the backstretch. After rolling out of fourth, Jett Away quickly reached the front, outpacing Ann Other Porsche by mid-backstretch and snatched the lead with Cams Little Imp N and driver Ross Wolfenden stalking her every move. It was still no contest in the lane where Jett Away waltzed to success by three-quarters of a length. Cams Little Imp N stayed second and Clock Watcher closed strongly to finish third.

The win boosted Jett Away’s seasonal earnings to $31,890 for owners George Brem, Mike Nichols and Bob McGee. She now has two wins, a second and a third in seven starts this year.

Back in the 2000 season, Roses Best earned Horse of the Meet honors. Her fastest time in a multi-win season was 1:52.2. She shaded that one in a $12,500 Mares Pace on Tuesday, turning in a decisive victory, her first of the New Year. Owned, trained and driven by Toby Lynch, Roses Best was followed by Extemporaneous (Eddie Davis, Jr.) and Bluebird Wanda (Hal Belote).

After her big season, Roses Best was bred twice and now has two foals. Back on the track last season she won seven of her 34 starts, with five seconds and three thirds, adding $56,645 to her bank account. She now has earned $335,139 lifetime.

Tim Curtin urged Tom Crouch’s Prank Player up in the last stride to catch Keystone Stratus at the wire in 1:56.2 to win the $11,500 featured trot. Rome Warrior (Vic Kirby) was third. In a rare battle for fourth place money, the photo finish camera could not separate New Dawn Hanover (Eddie Davis, Jr.), Passing Point (Ed Nickle) and Main Gate Red Rock (Wayne Truitt), setting up an unusual four way superfecta payoff.

Bay Express N took the lead early and Steve Warrington steered the six-year-old to a 1:53.2 triumph in a $10,500 distaff pace for Ed Maas, Howard Paisley and trainer Johnny Bryan. Canaco Lily (Eddie Davis) was second and Sandtana Score N (Brad Hanners) third.

Johnny Waite’s Allraessignofglory recorded his fifth consecutive victory in a $10,000 Delaware claiming pace and was claimed after the race. Winning driver Eddie Davis notched the second of his three wins.

Claiming paces top Wednesday’s card

A pair of $40,000 claiming races, two $25,000 claiming races, a $14,500 claiming race, and two $10,200 Delaware paces will top the Wednesday racing card at Dover Downs, which will start at 4:30 p.m.

Both $40,000 claiming paces will be raced late on the program. In the 13th race, Levine, Casalino, and Golden Goose Enterprises’ Coopers Creek N will attempt to continue a two race win streak. The Dylan Davis-conditioned nine-year-old will be driven, as usual, by Eddie Davis, Jr.

Four of Coopers Creek N’s rivals finished second last time out: Howard Taylor’s Moon Sign; Secret Harbor, with Vic Kirby at the controls, who has finished second twice in a row and who is owned by Rodney Long, VIP Empire Stable and trainer Greg Trotto; Bonn Rocket N, who drew the rail and will have Jim Morand in the bikel; and Curtis Larrimore’s ANZAC, who will be driven by Brad Hanners, and who will make his first appearance for a tag after having posted three straight seconds.

The other contenders will be Don Hawk and trainer Dan Warrington’s Racsan Nuke, to be handled by Steve Warrington, and Foul Shot Farms and Doc & Me, Inc.’s Syrius B and driver Sean Bier. Both horses will be dropping from the Junior Open. Brent Outten and Virginia Fisher’s Perfect Cam, with Hal Belote to drive, and Irwin Samelman’s Hezaumpn Bluegrass, with Frank Milby driving, will complete the list of nine starters.

Gemini Racing’s Iced Yankee (Kevin Sizer), a 1:53¹, wire-to-wire winner last time, will step back up in the other $40,000 claiming pace, which will conclude the 15 race card.

Rodney Long’s Village Crusader N (Ross Wolfenden) will drop from the Junior Open and drew the rail, and Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta’s Herb Abbe N (Mike Cole) will star alongside the former. Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Lar’s Legacy (Brad Hanners) will leave from the second tier. Rodney Mitchell’s Swinging Scooter A (Eddie Davis), Elbert Harrington and Betty Brittingham’s Butter Free (Bret Brittingham), Howard Taylor’s Jate’s Jake (Ed Nickle), and Country Girl Stables’ Magic Force (George Dennis) will be the other contestants.

Goatcoat George TM, owned, trained, and to be driven by Roger Plante, Mike Hill’s Freetime Kash (George Dennis), and Doug’s Boy (Wayne Truitt), owned by Russ and Elaine MacKinnon, will seek to enlarge win streaks in a conditioned race, a $12,500 Delaware pace.

Three $25,000 claiming paces will also be on the 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.