by Marv Bachrad, director of publicity, Dover Downs

DOVER, Del. – Black Cat Bone, owned by Jeff Eckburg and Paul Pearson, made his first visit to Dover Downs a winning one as the Illinois-bred gelding scored a 1:51.3 victory in the $32,500 Preferred Pace on Monday, March 29. Crew Cut Zach won the $30,000 Delaware Special for the second straight week. Brian Sears drove five winners.

Dover Downs Photo.

Black Cat Bone – 1:51.3.

It was an ambivalent day for owner Rodney Mitchell of Camden, Del. Three of his horses won races, he claimed another and in the 14th race, a horse he claimed for $20,000 two weeks ago, Franco Quickster N broke stride causing a racing spill and broke his neck. His driver, Kevin Sizer was taken to a nearby hospital to check on an injured wrist in the spill.

In the $32,500 Preferred Pace, driver Jim Morand used post 1 to full advantage. He sat second with Black Cat Bone for most of the journey until mid-stretch before pulling the seven-year-old altered son of Sportsmaster to the outside to overtake Soho for his sixth win in 11 races this year.

Brain Sears rushed Soho from an outside start in the field of eight to take command with a :26 opening panel. Soho shook off what amounts as a weekly challenge in the $32,500 feature race from Monsoon Hall (Mike Cole) on the backstretch before succumbing to the late charge from Black Cat Bone who chased him from the start. Corporate Rrraider (Tim Curtin) followed Soho.

Dover Downs Photo.

Crew Cut Zach – 1:52.2.

In the absence of driver Brad Hanners, Brian Sears drove Crew Cut Zach, a Gary and Barbara Iles homebred gelding by In The Pocket, to a never-look-back 1:52.2 victory in the $30,000 Delaware Special. Bedrock Café N (Kenny Mitchell) and Future Treasure (Art Stafford Jr.) followed along the pylons for place and show finishes. El Gees Mr. Q, who won his previous two starts, was scratched.

Allan Pullman and Joe Glickstein’s Doctor Rich closed with a rush for one of Eddie Davis’ two wins to score a 1:52.3 decision in a $21,000 Winners-Over Pace. Crystal Art (Travis Bowman) held on for second in front of Inner Success N (Eddie Davis Jr.)

Holly Tree Farms’ Speakeasy, with Jim Morand in the bike, was never headed in a 1:53.3 victory in an $18,500 Delaware Winners-Over Pace. Fait Accompli (Tim Curtin) stalked the winner the mile to finish second in front of Decent Card (Ross Wolfenden).

Owner Rodney Mitchell made the winner’s circle for the third time in a second $18,500 Delaware Winners-Over Pace after Kevin Sizer took command early with Swinging Scooter A and never relinquished the front in a 1:53.2 mile. Cornas (Jim King) closed fast to be second. Fifteenletters A (Travis Bowman) was the third finisher.

Jim Morand registered his third win of the day driving Wayne Pryor and Doc & Me Inc.’s Wynfield Bob from last at the half looping the field before the three-quarters and then eased to a 1:53.2 triumph in one of three $30,000 Claiming paces.

Allraessignofglory made his first start a winning one for Johnny Waite who claimed the Life Sign gelding last week. Kevin Sizer drove the 1:53.3 victor in a $30,000 Claiming Allowance. Paper Branch (Mike Cole) was next. BJ’s Breeze (Brian Sears) came in third.

Eddie Davis’ first win came in another $30,000 Claiming Pace. Davis’ big move with Extra Fine Cam from well back enabled the Camluck gelding to circle the field and gave the win to owner Rodney Mitchell. Last Resort (Brian Sears) was runner-up. Black Cam N (Mike Cole) was third.

Hello Newman stepped up to the $30,000 Claiming level without a problem as Steve Warrington took the Albert Albert gelding to the front at the quarter and hung on for a 1:53.1 win for owners Don Hawk, John Hynansky and trainer Dan Warrington. On The Tee (Less Givens) nipped Sporty Nate (Brian Sears) for second-place honors.

Angelo Papa’s Sly Dog took the lead early and led the rest of the way in a 1:53 mile to win a $25,000 Claiming Pace. Tuck And Roll (Kevin Sizer) finished second ahead of TSM Spirited T (Brian Sears).

Brian Sears drove his third of four winners guiding Bill Emmons’ The Pan The Myth to a 1:54.1 score in a $25,000 Claiming Pace. Invader Hall (Kevin Sizer) closed strongly to finish second in front of No Option (Ross Wolfenden).

Sears also drove both $20,000 Claiming pace winners. He piloted Magnum Horse Venture’s Blue Orient A to a 1:53 victory in the first section. Ruthless Victor N (Hal Belote) and Mighty Lord N (Travis Bowman) were right behind in order.

Tyler Trouble led from start to finish for Sears in a 1:55 victory, the slowest on the program, in the second $20,000 claimer. Pierce Arrow (Eddie Davis Jr.) finished second. Camsplace Alec N (George Dennis) was third. In the race, Franco Quickster N was advancing on the outside challenging for the lead in mid backstretch when the gelding suddenly broke stride, hurling driver Kevin Sizer out of his sulky and onto the racing surface. All horses racing behind the pair avoided the downed horse and driver with the exception of Chesta Jamane A who broke stride to avoid the fallen Sizer. This caused driver Vic Kirby to be thrown hard from his bike. In the paddock, Sizer complained of a hurt wrist. Kirby and his horse were apparently not hurt but Franco Quickster N, owned by Rodney Mitchell, died of a broken neck.

Owner Bill Emmons had a double when Debs Lil Outlaw held off a late challenge from Bit Of Trick (Eddie Davis) to score his fifth win of the day, a 1:55.1 victory in a $17,500 Mares Claiming Allowance. Cookies Lighting (Ross Wolfenden) finished third.

Kevin Sizer led off the card driving Rodney Mitchell’s Him And Me to a 1:54.4 win in a $15,000 Delaware Claiming Allowance. Shady Image (Hal Belote) led from the start before being caught deep in the stretch. Paradise Friday (Art Stafford Jr.) was third. Sizer was scratched from his drive in the next race, the 15th.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30. Saturday and Sunday racing starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday is a dark day. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.