by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Brave Call, Eoos and Scylla Hanover won the tri-feature races on the Sunday, Jan. 6, card at Dover Downs. Tony Morgan won four races to give him a weekend total of 11 wins.

Foto Won photo

Brave Call rallied in the stretch for a 1:52.4 win on Sunday.

Morgan drove Brave Call to a 1:52.4 victory in the $16,500 pace for 4- and 5-year-olds, giving owner-trainer Eric Ell a double. The Riverboat King gelding overtook Life’s Z Tam (Jonathan Roberts) in mid-stretch to record the win. Real Magician (Corey Callahan) was the third place finisher.

Eric Ell’s other trainee, Eoos, owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinita, romped to his second win in a row with Roger Plante at the controls in a $14,500 4- and 5-year-old male pace. Big League Yankee (Tony Morgan) was runner-up. Cathedral Grove (Corey Callahan) was third.

Bob Rice, Jr.’s Scylla Hanover stalked Lucky Lady L (Roger Plante) from the start before Jim King pulled out the Bob Rice trained The Panderosa mare in the middle of the stretch and then sailed past for a 1:54.4 triumph in a 4- and 5-year-old mares pace. Bridezilla (Corey Callahan) was the show horse.

Brandon Givens, in his first drive since being injured last summer in a racing accident, drove Gary Green and Constance Moore’s St Lads Kingpin to a new lifetime record 1:53.2 performance in an $11,300 Delaware 4- and 5-year-old male pace. Who’s Next (Kevin Sizer) was next. Bud (Mike Cole) finished third.

In addition to Morgan’s four wins, Vic Kirby had a triple and Kevin Sizer added a driving double. Dylan Davis joined Eric Ells with two training wins.

$35,000 Preferred Handicap tops standout Monday card

Despite a fifth place finish in his last start in mid-December, Fake Denario N has been installed as the favorite in a field of eight fast pacers in this week’s $35,000 Preferred on Monday, Jan. 7, at Dover Downs. Art Director seeks a third win in his last four races in the $32,500 Delaware Special Invitational. Veteran Driven To Win heads the $26,000 Open Pace while three $21,000 Winners Over Paces headline a powerful supporting card. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Glass Pack, a recent acquisition by cattleman Lou Schaefer, his first horse ever, and Peter Heffering, was the winner of the New Year’s Eve Preferred when elevated to first after finishing second to Dream Rocket, who was disqualified. Ross Wolfenden will drive for trainer Joe Hundertpfund.

Brandon Givens will drive Bonnie Allen and Brenda Harper’s Prince Of Luck from the rail with Martin Scharf’s Fake Denario N and Eric Goodell alongside. Boy Oh Boy Stable’s razor sharp Dream Rocket and Brain Sears will have to overcome starting from post eight this week.

Bullion Bill A, driven by Ron Pierce for owners Irving Bork and trainer Erika Paradee; Immortal Quest N, owned by Carter Racing and trainer Bobby Myers, with Eddie Davis, Jr.; Quality Western racing for Iannacone, Giamarino and D’elegance Stable IX, with Jonathan Roberts in the bike; and Up Front Jerry and Tony Morgan for owners Burke, Bruscemi and Chiovetta, complete the formidable lineup.

Kovach Stable’s Art Director, second last week after two straight wins, is reunited with Brian Sears and leaves from post one in the $32,500 Delaware Special. The winner, Carter Racing Stable’s Rusty’s For Real, drew outside post eight and will be driven by Kevin Sizer.

Teague Inc.’s Mr Apples make his first start as a 4-year-old with Jim Morand. Marilyn Milbrand’s El Grove Sam steps up with Roger Plante after a 1:53 win last time.

Beware Beret, owned by Mike Zimmerman, and Trey and Erika Paradee, has the services of Ron Pierce while Ross Wolfenden drives Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing’s Thin Blue Line. The other starters are Arty Foster, Jr.’s Village Blitz with Tony Morgan and Jeff Bartels’ Yogi Bare and Jonathan Roberts.

Half of the eight contestants in the $26,000 Open Pace were winners last time out. Ron Pierce will drive Albert Hanna’s Jordan’s Planet from the rail. Patchel Family Stable’s Home Run Hudson is piloted by Eric Goodell. WJ McDougall Racing’s Richard Henry N and Ross Wolfenden, and Victor Vuitton N, Kevin Sizer driving for owners Carter Racing and Bobby Myers, also seek to prolong their winning ways.

Completing the field are program favorite Driven To Win and Brian Sears for Ted Gewertz, Martha and Milton Frank and trainer Joe Holloway; Jack Davis’ Hot Lather with Corey Callahan; Ken Wood’s Ross The Boss N and Roger Plante; and Southwind Farm’s Ivegotwhatuneed, driven by Tony Morgan.

Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs live racing is dark on Friday. Saturday and Sunday post time is 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.