by Marv Bachrad, Publicity Director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Downbytheseaside, directed by Chris Page, went out a winner with a 1:48.3 victory prior to stallion duty in the $308,060 Hap Hansen Progress Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday (Nov. 30). In his 14th victory of the season, the son of Somebeachsomewhere defeated stablemate Fear The Dragon (David Miller) with Mac’s Jackpot (Brett Miller) a distant third. Adding to the luster of the state’s most spectacular evening of harness racing, Russell Foster won two of the four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old finals on the evening’s card.

Star Sapphire collects her third consecutive win on Thursday evening.

Page moved the Brian Brown trainee quickly to the lead after a :26.2 opening panel and from there on it was all Downbytheseaside. The 3-year-old passed the half in :54.2 and reached the three-quarters in 1:21.1 with Fear The Dragon (David Miller) taken to the outside for a very tough first-over journey to overcome his rival.

Downbytheseaside proved to be strong as a :27.1 final quarter sealed the victory for owners Joe Sbrocco, Rich Lombardo, Country Club Acres and Diamond Creek Racing.

For Page, who was a Dover Downs regular several years back, it was the fifth time he drove Downbytheseaside and all of those instances have resulted in wins

The track record of 1:48 is held by Bandolito and Heston Blue Chip.

This was the third edition of the newly-named Hap Hansen Progress Pace which became the track’s signature event in 1996. Hanson was one of the sport’s leading administrators through his work with Brandywine Raceway and Dover Downs.

Foster was the star of the four $100,000 DSBF contests as the 28-year-old guided the DSBF freshman filly trot winner Star Sapphire to the wire in front. The Serendipity Stable’s homebred, conditioned by Tui Stone, collected her third straight triumph with a near wire-to-wire 1:59 performance.

From the first crop of Anders Bluestone, the daughter of Victory Starburst, won the $100,000 Harrington final and now has a seasonal total of $125,650. Race favorite Vandalous (Corey Callahan) was second with Deja Vu Blue third.

Foster returned to the winner’s circle in the $100,000 colt pace, nipping race favorite Evolution Tour (Tim Tetrick) by a nose in 1:51. George Leager, bred, owns and trains the No Spin Zone-Queen Kathy colt who has won nine times in 11 starts. Transitioning Joy (Montrell Teague) finished third.

Fotowon photos

Bags To Riches racks up his eighth win of the season at Dover Downs.

In another photo finish verdict, Sky Marshall got up in the last stride for trainer Carlo Poliseno, who owns the CR Commando-Penny Lane colt with Jane Dunavant, to win the $100,000 colt trot. Super Fly (Art Stafford Jr.) built up a big lead turning for home, but could not hold off Sky Marshall, who won in 1:56.4 for his first victory. Brother Kenny (Tetrick) was the third finisher.

In yet another race decided by the photo finish camera, Go Sandy Go overtook front-pacing Pedal Power (Tetrick) in the last stride for a 1:53.4 victory in the $100,000 filly pace final. Jason Green piloted the Roddy’s Bags Again-Bit Of Trick daughter for owner/breeder/trainers Josh Green and Brent Outten.

Bags To Riches, arguably the best Delaware-sired pacer, won the $25,000 open pace on the undercard. Miller steered the Roddy’s Bags Again-Paint The Sky Blue sophomore to his sub 1:50 performance while beating Sicily (Teague) and Cajon Lightning (Gingras) home in 1:49.4. He won for the eighth time this year for breeder Only Money Inc. and co-owner/trainer Jason Skinner.

In another fast mile, Major Uptrend and Tony Morgan negotiated a 1:49.3 victory in a $13,000 Winners-Over pace for owners Niss Allen Inc. and trainer Tim Crissman. El Bloombito (Sean Bier) and Little Ben (Tetrick) were second and third respectively.