by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Crossfire N picked up right where she left off last season, turning back seven rivals for a 1:54.3 victory in the $22,000 Filly and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, November 9 at Dover Downs. Voted Horse of the Meet by the Delaware Valley and Mid Atlantic U.S. Harness Writers Association members last season, Crossfire N was never in trouble during the entire mile, cutting out all the fractions and finishing off with a :28 final panel.
Mike Cole drove the Son Of Afella five-year-old to her 10th win of the year, advancing her seasonal bankroll to $156,650 for owners Wendy Crissman and 49 Racing Stables. Nuclear Power (Eddie Davis) was next best with Love Lace Mindale (Bobby Reeser) third. Rondel Franco N (Hal Belote) was fourth, ending a two race win streak.
New Zealand-import Go Flyin N got back into the win column for the fifth time in six starts since arriving in the Wayne Whitson barn. Owned by Les Walls and Jack Upchurch, Go Flyin N, a five-year-old Sands A Flyin mare, notched a 1:55.2 triumph in a $15,000 distaff pace. Lucille A (Jim King, Jr.) roared down the lane to finish second.
In the first of two $10,000 Filly and Mare paces, Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Payton Place gave Brad Hanners a driving triple. The four-year-old Park Place mare held off a late charge from Chocolate Square (Bret Brittingham) with Noble Surfer (Eddie Davis, Jr.) finishing third in the 1:55.4 event.
Hanners won earlier guiding Todd Wise and Jeff Franklin’s classy Extravagant Sahbra home in 1:55.4 to win a $9,000 event for female pacers.
Santana Score N got up for Jim King, Jr. in the final stride to win the second $10,000 distaff pace in 1:55 to give Bettyjane Corey and Marion Andrew an owners’ double. Hasty Dewar led until the end while Don’t Curse Me (Cliff Green) came on to finish third.
Self Discovery, a four-year-old Lindy Lane half-brother to Self Possessed, set a personal best 1:58.4 clocking to win a $7,500 conditioned trot. Jim Morand drove the winner for owners Marion Andrew and Bettyjane Corey. It was his third triumph of the season. Main Gate Red Rock (Wayne Truitt) was runner-up. OK Fella N (Steve Warrington) took third.
Brooks Stable and driver Kevin Sizer’s Rose Run Casanova won the other division with a 1:59.2 performance. Picture Seelster (Mike Cole) and Speeding Astroid (Ross Wolfenden) were second and third respectively.
Two $32,513 Matron Stakes Eliminations on Wednesday Twenty-one filly trotters entered the Matron Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters, and two eliminations, each carrying a purse of $32,513, will be raced on Wednesday. Post time will be 4:30 p.m. (EST). James Jesk paid a $25,000 supplemental entry fee to get Bramasole into the Matron Stakes, and the second place finisher in the recent Breeders Crown drew the rail and will have Eric Ledford driving. Bramasole, a $182,899 winner already this year, is the one to beat in the 11th race division. A trio of stakes-seasoned sophomores, including Menhammar Stuteri’s Ivy Swinger, will start alongside Bramasole and will be reined by David Miller. L&L DeVisser’s Olympics will start from post position three and will be driven by Hall of Famer John Campbell. C&I Siegel Racing’s Tag A Victory, a six time winner in 2004, will leave from post position four. The richest horse in the field, Alvin Jacobson and Sid Korn’s Mystical Sunshine, who swept the New Jersey Sire Stakes, will be driven by Ron Pierce. Miss Athens, owned by Tom Brice and Charles Receski, has won her last three races in a row and will get the services of Dave Palone. Bernard Owen, Art Rudolph, and Rudolph Stable’s Jodi’s Jayme, won her last two straight races at Colonial Downs. In the seventh race, 50-12 Stable’s Invincible Dream (Jimmy Takter), a six time winner this year, and Menhammer Stuteri’s In The Shell (Cat Manzi), have banked more than $175,000 this year, and Bob Key’s Icy Pleasure is just short of a six figure total. The $32,513 elimination field will also include Rant N Rave (Ross Wolfenden), owned by Steve Anderson of Rehoboth, Del.; Adelaide Skoglund’s steady Muscle Toy (David Miller); Almond Joy, owned by Arden Homestead Stable and driver Jacquie Ingrassia; and Carl Cito’s Nanny Fine (Cat Manzi). Celebrity Demi (Dan Daley), owned by Ann-Mari Daley and Celebrity Farms, drew the rail, and Funny Malentine, purchased for $165,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale last week by Perretti Farms, and Status Stables’ Habit’s Lady (Trond Smedshammer) will start from posts nine and 10, respectively, in the second tier. The first four finishers in each elimination return next Wednesday for the $210,000 (est.) final. The undercard will feature $40,000 claiming paces. Constance, Paul and Paul McDougall, Jr.’s Mattnifesto (Ross Wolfenden), Todd Wise and Jeff Franklin’s The Devil Himself (Brad Hanners), and Village Crusader N (Steve Warrington), owned by Don Hawk, John Hynansky and trainer Dan Warrington, will head the sixth race, and Gary Wolf’s Wynfield Owings (Brad Hanners), Ken Wood and Roy Adams’ Dream About Me A (Ross Wolfenden), and Hawk, Hynanski and Warrington’s Hello Newman (Steve Warrington) will lead a nine horse field in the other $40,000 claiming race. + Dover Downs has added a Pick 4 to its wagering format, and it will be featured on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh races each day, and a fifth Superfecta has been added to the track’s daily, six-day-a-week, 15 race schedule. Superfectas will be offered on the third, fifth, ninth, 13th, and 15th races. Simulcasting from major harness and Thoroughbred tracks is featured daily, from noon until midnight (EST). Again this year, Dover Downs will race on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and on Monday through Thursday, post time will be at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.