Dover, DE — Backstreet Shadow set a track record of 1:48.1 in the $50,000 Invitational Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday night (March 5).

Backstreet Shadow set a track record of 1:48.1 in the $50,000 Invitational Handicap Pace. Fotowon photo.

In one of the strongest fields of the race season, Backstreet Shadow dominated. Tim Tetrick left confidently with his mount from his assigned post eight. He had to wait for Jesse Duke N, also leaving from the outside, to clear a stubborn Shnitzledosomethin.

Backstreet Shadow was then in position to rush to the lead despite being parked out to the quarter in :26.2. He continued to carve out the remaining fractions, reaching the half in :54.3 and the three-quarters in 1:21.1.

Jesse Duke N pulled off the rail from the pocket in deep stretch. He attempted to mount a charge but became fatigued and went off stride.

Backstreet Shadow, the 3-5 race favorite, established a Dover Downs track record for older geldings by a fifth of a second. He won in 1:48.1 by two comfortable lengths. Jesse Duke N, who went off stride in the stretch and was cleared by the judges’ inquiry, finished second for trainer Chris Ryder and driver George Napolitano Jr. Shnitzledosomethin finished third for trainer Dylan Davis and driver Corey Callahan.

Backstreet Shadow (Shadow Play-Backstreet Sweetie) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. Ron Burke is the trainer.

Bo Mach established a lifetime mark in capturing the $32,500 Open Preferred Pace. The winner took advantage of the shortened field due to the scratch of Lyons King.

Corey Callahan guided Bo Mach to the lead but yielded to Closing Statement, who cut solid fractions of :26.1, :54.2 and 1:22.1.

The field remained in single file towards the three-quarter station. Q’s Cruise was the first horse to take to the outside and was eventually positioned third over. His move caused a chain reaction. Highalator then pulled off the rail from third and flushed Bo Mach out of the pocket.

Bo Mach powered past a tiring Closing Statement,  then in the stretch was able to outduel a fast closing Highalator. Bo Mach, by Mach Three-Magnify This, held on to win by a head in 1:49.4 as the 2-1 race favorite. The time lowered his lifetime mark by a full second. Highalator closed for second for trainer Jenny Bier and driver Richard Still. Q’s Cruise finished third for trainer Jim King Jr. and driver Tim Tetrick.

Bo Mach is owned by Howard Taylor and is trained by Dylan Davis.

Sicily was an upset winner in the $30,000 Blue Hen Open Handicap.

At the start of the race, three horses left for early race position. Sicily took the lead and Blazing Bobby Sox held the rail position in second. Slick Tony and George Napolitano Jr., the co-race favorite, dropped in third. Wiggle It Jiggleit and driver Montrell Teague dived in behind Slick Tony in fourth. Teague was hoping to get a second-over trip behind Slick Tony and that strategy became a reality past the half.

Sicily cut fractions of :26.1, :55.2 and 1:23. Turning for home, Wiggle It Jiggleit fanned three wide in the lane as Slick Tony weakened, but Wiggle It Jiggleit’s bid stalled. Sicily powered home and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.3.
He was sent off at odds of nearly 6-1. Proper One, who was last at the three-quarter pole, circled the pack to finish second for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Carlo Poliseno. Wiggle It Jiggleit finished third for trainer Clyde Francis and driver Teague.

Sicily is by Art Major out of Capri Hanover and is owned by Legacy Racing of Delaware Inc. and Reginald Hazzard II. Victor Kirby drove the winner for trainer Wayne Givens.