Ann Other Porsche surprises in Dover Open
April 6, 2005,by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Ann Other Porsche got the jump on Crossfire N on the way to a 1:51.3 triumph in the $27,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday, April 5. Dover Downs Photo Steve Warrington steers Ann Other Porsche to the winner’s circle on Tuesday. While Kevin Sizer carved out early fractions with Hasty Dewar, Tawny and Brad Hanners moved into a challenging role from the clubhouse turn until after the three-quarter pole. Steve Warrington pulled Ann Other Porsche from fourth and set sail three wide around the final turn to take the lead entering the stretch.
Meanwhile Crossfire N left originally after the starting gate opened, then Mike Cole accepted to get away last in the field of seven females. While Ann Other Porsche was making her winning move, Crossfire N then came four-wide and finally cleared her rivals entering the straightaway, but Ann Other Porsche was in high gear with what became an insurmountable lead down the lane. Crossfire N had to settle for second, breaking a string of three consecutive wins in the week’s top distaff event. Cams Little Imp N ground out a third place finish for Ross Wolfenden.
The 1:51.3 win is the fastest lifetime and fifth victory of the year for the Kevin Lare-conditioned Ann Other Porsche, an eight-year-old daughter of Down Under stallion Road Machine, owned by Jonas White and Harness The Power. She has now earned $57,250 in 2005 and $299,493 lifetime.
An 8-1 shot, Bob Gianquitti’s Evere’s Connection, handled by Eddie Davis, Jr., enjoyed a perfect two hole trip racing behind pacesetter Roses Best and then closed along the passing lane to win the secondary $18,000 Mares Winners Over Pace in 1:52.4. It was the younger Davis’ second of three wins for the day.
Stepping out of the claiming ranks, Evere’s Connection, a five-year-old daughter of Village Connection, started in the second tier but beat Jenny’s Picnic (Steve Warrington, post two) away from the starting gate to follow Roses Best. After a pedestrian :57.2 opening half, Toby Lynch opened up Roses Best with Jenny’s Picnic on the move from third to go at the leader. Brad Hanners sent Go Flyin N three wide around the final turn and suddenly there were four contenders rolling down the lane. After a :55.2 last half mile, Evere’s Connection was the freshest in the stretch and notched a lifetime best 1:52.4 victory. Roses Best won the photo for second with Go Flyin N third.
Love Lace Mindale is making up for a slow start. With nothing to show for most of her first seven starts this year, the four-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy mare has now won two in a row for owners Robert Roberts, Rich Crammer, Steve Rosenstock and trainer Bob Reeser. Love Lace Mindale took the lead after the quarter and set sail for a 1:53.4 victory in an $11,500 distaff pace as Steve Warrington made the winner’s circle for the third time after holding off a cavalcade of followers at the wire. Dream-A-While (Art Stafford) tripped the passing lane to finish second with Lucille A (Jim King) third.
In the $8,000 feature trot, Sal Sparacino’s Carolyn’s Mike, off at 18-1 and driven by veteran Bobby Myers, came on in deep stretch to score a 2:00.2 win. Primo Rager (Brad Hanners) was placed second with Clayton Delaney (Eddie Davis) placed third when Sperry Creek Flash (Wayne Truitt), apparently on his way to victory, broke stride approaching the finish line and was placed out of the money.
Meet leading driver Brad Hanners continues his charge at the all-time one season track record for dash wins of 247 set by Luc Ouellette in the 1998-99 meet. Hanners drove two winners for veteran owner-trainer John Wagenhoffer, one a favorite, the other a longshot.
Hanners guided September Bride to a 1:58.3 win in a $7,500 Delaware claiming allowance trot in the first race. Then he closed with a rush driving 18-1 Pacific Pleasure past front pacing Bay Express N (Steve Warrington) in 1:53.4 to win a $9,000 mares pace. Hanners then recorded his 230th win, steering The Cheyenne Gang’s Cheyenne Ryan to a 1:55.3 score in a $7,000 three and four-year-old pace.
Pair of claiming races to top Wednesday’s card
A pair of contentious $40,000 claiming paces will head the Wednesday, April 6 program at Dover Downs. Post time will be at 4:30 p.m.
Bill Emmons’ Big League Barry will seek to regain his winning ways in the first of the twin features. The Cambest-sired four-year-old gelding has won two of his last three starts, and will be driven by Brad Hanners.
Todd’s Jack Pot, owned by Tina Clark and Gary Evans, scored a 1:524 win last week, and will again leave from post position one with Eddie Davis, Jr. in the sulky. Another winner last time, Sleek Style, who was claimed by Wendy Crissman and Foul Shot Farms, will be driven by Sean Bier. Green Racing and Debbie Avery’s Steam The Windows won two qualifying races with Jim Morand in the bike, and should be a factor.
The rest of the lineup includes Butter Free, with Vic Kirby to drive for Elbert Harrington and Betty Brittingham; Mike Horsey’s HBF’s Storm, with Roger Plante in the sulky; and Jim Cane and trainer-driver Bob Shahan’s On Track, who will start from post position eight.
Three starters in the second $40,000 claiming event have won their previous outings. Tom Weber’s Bedrock Café N (Jim Morand) and Secret Harbor (Vic Kirby), owned by Rodney Long, VIP Empire Stable, and trainer Greg Trotto, both won for a $40,000 tag, and Gary Wolf’s Jingling (Brad Hanners) will step up after consecutive wins at the $30,000 level.
Pat Mitchell and Bill Sculley’s Pacific Challenger (George Dennis) will leave from the rail, MJGB Racing’s Company Stock (Tim Curtin) will start alongside the former, and the fast-leaving Racsan Nuke (Steve Warrington), owned by Don Hawk and trainer Dan Warrington, will start from the outside.
The other starters include Bob Hunsberger and Maria Murray’s Market Dream (Herve Filion) and Peter Tritton’s OK Ulisee N (Ross Wolfenden).
There will be two $25,000 claiming races on the card. Tom Dillon’s Lastline Hanover and Hale Hyligtht (Ross Wolfenden), owned by Woody Long and trainer Bobby Glassmeyer, will lead the first division, and Wayne Pryor, John Gearheart, and Wendy Crissman’s Distant Game (Mike Cole) tops the entries for the other.
A $13,500 Delaware pace will be the top conditioned pace. Ross Wolfenden’s My Mate Larry, Fred Pollitt’s Tyler’s Coin (Jim Morand), and John and Paul Williamson’s Rocky Ridgerunner (Brandon Givens) are the program picks.
Freedom Reins Stable’s Esquire Ascot (Roger Plante) and two race winners last week, Jim and Carol Atkinson’s Dayton Zephyr (Brad Hanners) and MJ Racing, Tina Dennis, and driver George Dennis’ Black Tie will lead a nine-horse field in an $11,000 featured trot.
Post time each Monday through Thursday at Dover will be at 4:30 p.m. There will be no racing on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday racing will start at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.