by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Empress Deo did it again, coming from last to win her third consecutive $20,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on a mild Tuesday (Dec. 27).
Fotowon photo
Empress Deo was a 1:53.3 winner on Tuesday at Dover Downs.
Leaving from the outside in a strong field of seven female pacers, Empress Deo was again not heard from until late in a 1:53.3 mile, but in the stretch Allan Davis sent the Rocknroll Hanover-Little Miss K 5-year-old into overdrive, streaking past six opponents to score her seventh victory of 2017 for trainer Wayne Givens’ Legacy Racing of Delaware.
It was an all-out battle for the front in the lane with Elliesjet N (Jonathan Roberts), Purrfect Bags (Vic Kirby) and race-favorite Lightning Mach N (Tim Tetrick), along the passing lane, across the track with Empress Deo blurring past in the final strides. Elliesjet N finished second in front of Lightning Mach N, who came into the event with a perfect three-for-three record in her U.S. starts.
Empress Deo has won her last three and four of her last five starts with the only blemish a second, beaten by a nose. Of her eight races since the meet began, she also has two other second place finishes and eight purse checks. She completes this year earning $171,633 and $352,061 lifetime.
In the sub-featured $15,000 Filly and Mare Winners Over Pace, owner-trainer Bryan Truitt’s Enhance Your Mind overwhelmed her challengers as driver Vic Kirby won for fun in 1:52 by open lengths. A 4-year-old daughter of Riggins-Enhance The Night, Enhance Your Mind won for the eighth time this year, banking $95,770. B Stern (Montrell Teague) was second. Arts Jem (Tetrick) was third.
On the undercard, JL Wonder Woman scored her fourth win in a row in 1:53, taking a $9.000 distaff pace. Driver Vic Kirby and Matt Ivory own the Feelin Friskie-One Wild Woman filly who won for the sixth time this campaign. The Ohio-bred has won $62,955 this year.
George Dennis, who won three races Monday, added another four, including both halves of the daily double, to give him seven in two nights. Ross Wolfenden, Jim Morand, Allan Davis, Vic Kirby and trainer Wayne Givens had two wins apiece.