by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Delaware, OH — Grand Circuit racing opened up on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 23) at the Delaware, Ohio Fair with a pair of $53,750 divisions of the Buckette for 3-year-old filly trotters.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Caviar Forthe Lady held off the late surge of Spiceberry Hanover to win in a time of 1:58.4.

In the opening split, Acadia Farms Inc.’s Caviar Forthe Lady brushed to the lead heading to the three-quarter pole and then held off the late surge of Spiceberry Hanover to win in a time of 1:58.4. Charlie Norris was in the bike for trainer Marty Wollam as the SJ’s Caviar-Croupier Lady miss won for the third time in 13 season’s starts. She lifted her ’09 bankroll to $218,118.

The winner got away second as Valeris (Tim Tetrick) cut opening half fractions of :28.2 and :58. Norris pulled Caviar Forthe Lady out of the pocket heading to the three-quarter pole and took over the lead, tripping the timer in 1:28.1.

From there, Caviar Forthe Lady began to pull away from the field, then got a little leg weary in the lane before crossing the wire 2-1/4 lengths the best in 1:58.4. Spiceberry Hanover (Dave Palone) closed late to finish second, while Musical Dream (William Irvine) grabbed third. Valeris faded to fourth and One Tough Girl (John Campbell), who made a break leaving the gate, rounded out the field.

“The track was a little tiring today,” said Charlie Norris, “but I think this filly stands out. She had a little problem at the end of last year and (trainer) Marty Wollam brought her along slowly this year. She’s getting ready at the right time.”

In her most recent start before coming to Delaware, Caviar Forthe Lady captured the $200,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

The second Buckette division went to Lothlorien’s Windsong Soprano (David Miller), who emerged victorious in 1:58.

The second Buckette division went to Lothlorien’s Windsong Soprano (David Miller), who won a tough stretch duel with Raising Rachel (Jack Moiseyev) to emerge victorious in 1:58.

The Windsong’s Legacy-Muscling In lass made her eighth trip to the winner’s circle in just 11 season’s starts, with her share of the purse lifting her season’s earnings to $469,220.

All Star Hanover (George Brennan) left alertly from the gate, then yielded to Raising Rachel who hit the opening panel in :29.3. Moiseyev kept his filly alert and they were still in front through middle-half fractions of :59.1 and 1:29.1.

Windsong Soprano came first-up on the leader at the three-quarter marker and these two dueled down the stretch with Miller getting Windsong Soprano up at the wire by a slim nose in the final time of 1:58. Raising Rachel picked up the place check, while All Star Hanover was third.

“I wasn’t concerned about the fractions,” said Miller, “as the track is favoring closers. I took my shot and my filly still had momentum.”