by Marv Bachrad, Publicity Director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Temperatures in the 70’s set the stage for fast races headed by Bettorhaveanother scoring the fastest clocking for a female pacer this year, 1:50.3, to win the $25,000 Mares Open to notch her third straight victory on Wednesday (Feb. 21). For Tony Morgan the victory was also one of three winning drives on the evening.
Fotowon photo
Bettorhaveanother sets a new lifetime mark of 1:50.3 with her triumph at Dover Downs.
Morgan enjoyed a perfect two-over trip before streaking home to overtake Scandalicious (Jonathan Roberts) in deep stretch to post the 6-year-old’s lifetime mark. Ron Burke trains the winner for Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing Stable.
She now has three wins after two seconds in five 2018 appearances while boasting $41,625 seasonal earnings. It was her 24th career win and lifted her lifetime bankroll to $300,952.
Scandalicious and Sweet Bobbie (Art Stafford Jr.) engaged in a head-to-head duel for the lead with Sweet Bobbie leading at the quarter in :25.4 and :54.1 at the half.
After a 1:22 three quarters, Valuable Art (Corey Callahan) began a challenge with Bettorhaveanother right behind. In a four-horse dash down the lane Bettorhaveanother’s effort was good enough for a three-quarter length triumph. Scandalicious was second with Valuable Art third.
A 10-1 shot, Josh Parker and Nanticoke Racing’s, Bad Lightning (Roberts), overtook front-pacing Stormtracker (Tim Tetrick) nearing the wire in 1:51.3 to win the $17,000 mare sub-feature. The Badlands Hanover-Malocchio 5-year-old won for the second time in-a-row and it was the third in her last four outings. Roselily (Stafford Jr.) finished third.
Corner Table was the longshot on the card. Off at 37-1, Stafford drove the Dragon Again-Macks Table mare, now 5-years-old, to her first win of the year in a new lifetime record of 1:52.1.
She is owned by Ed Gold and trainer Ben Stafford. Rollatown (Eddie Davis Jr.) was runner-up with Shesarocker (Vic Kirby) the show horse.
Morgan had three winners, Roberts, Stafford Jr. and Teague had two wins apiece.
Live racing is featured Monday through Thursday weekly with a 4:30 p.m. post time. No live racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.