by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Fox Valley Assault and Vivere turned in victories in the Thursday, Jan. 10, feature races at Dover Downs.

Foto Won photo

Fox Valley Assault rallied on the outside to win the Dover feature.

Albert Hanna’s Fox Valley Assault closed strongly for Corey Callahan to score a 1:52.2 victory in the $25,000 claiming allowance. Little Rock Spur (Jim Morand) had the lead until the final strides and finished second. Tristate Hanover (Jonathan Roberts) was third.

Vivere, with George Dennis at the controls, scorched a :27.4 final quarter en route to a 1:53 triumph in a $20,000 claiming pace. Al Winton and trainer Billy Moffett own the Life Sign gelding. Midnight Eyre N (Tony Morgan) beat Now That’s Art (Ross Wolfenden) for second.

Four drivers had two wins each — Tony Morgan, Jim Morand, Ross Wolfenden and Corey Callahan.

$12,000 Delaware Pace heads Saturday card

A $12,000 Delaware Pace heads the Saturday, Jan. 12, card at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

Vince Mitchell’s Papers RN The Mail with Roger Plante, Jay Shores’ Flat Out Lucky and Ross Wolfenden, and Mighty River A, driven by Vic Kirby for Josh Parker, Jane Love and Nanticoke Racing, lead eight starters in the $12,000 featured pace.

Tony Morgan drives Arty Foster, Jr.’s JT Arturo from post eight. Greg Simendinger’s High Calibre N and George Dennis, and Bob Collins’ Solid Hanover with Wayne Truitt offer strong opposition. Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Lekrem Bluegrass, piloted by Kevin Sizer, and The Wiz Kids Stable’s Real Protection, driven by Kim Vincent, will also compete.

Weekend racing post times are at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. No racing on Fridays. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.

Dover Downs Extra

The first of a giant month of 2007 season awards dinners begins on Friday, Jan. 11, at the annual Delaware Standardbred Owners Association (DSOA) gala held at the Dover Sheraton. The top horses and individuals racing at Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway will be saluted for their accomplishments during 2007. A turnout of around 500 horsemen is expected. Heather Moffett, host of the DSOA TV show Post Parade, seen on WBOC-TV at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday morning, is Mistress of Ceremony.

Tim Tetrick has just returned from a one-week vacation and will drive on the Sunday card at Dover Downs. Tetrick will be defending his all-time one-season records of 1,188 wins and $18.3 million in purses in 2007. Tetrick raced all but 11 days last year while amassing his record-breaking totals.

Tetrick became the second straight Dover driver to win the coveted Harness Tracks of America (HTA) Driver of the Year Award. In 2006, Tony Morgan, who won 1,004 races during the season, won the award for the third time in his career.

Ken Wood, one of Dover Downs’ most popular horsemen, is again off on his humanitarian project providing water to the people of the African nation of Ghana. Wood leaves this weekend for his seventh working visit since last fall. Wood, a longtime owner and horseman, from Easton, Md., will be on his way to dig wells enabling the native population to have a water supply. Prior to Wood’s arrival, Ghana inhabitants had to walk about five miles for water with most of the supply not of drinking quality. Wood donated his valuable digging rig and necessary equipment, along with his highly skilled personal services, to this project. Wood is also training Ghana locals to continue the work when he is not there. There are now approximately 150 wells in operation. Wood, who expects to spend two full weeks on his mission to Ghana, hopes to reach his goal of providing many more wells to the needy people.

Not only is Tony Morgan all alone at the top of the current Dover Downs driver standings, but he is also in first place in the sport through the first few weeks of the 2008 season. Morgan, the all-time one-season track record holder, leads all drivers so far this year with 29 wins.

At the Dover Downs meet which started on Oct. 28, Tony Morgan has built a big lead through Jan. 10. Tim Tetrick is second with 89 wins this meet. Jim Morand moves him up to third place with 81 wins. Fourth place is held by Corey Callahan with 80 winners while Ross Wolfenden is in fifth place driving 76 wins.

Josh Green is tied for second place in the 2008 season’s trainer standings. Mickey Burke, whose Up Front Jerry won last Monday’s $35,000 Preferred Pace, is the sport’s two-time defending champion. His stable has already won 15 races. Green is second, tied with Canadian Serge Masse, with seven wins each.

Two meets ago Josh Green set a track record of 113 wins. Last meet Green finished in a tie with Chuck Crissman with 90 wins each. Green’s bid for a third straight leading trainer award is currently being hard pressed by Dylan Davis. Green holds a one win edge, 38-37, in winners. Tim Crissman is third with 28 winners. Les Givens and Joe Hundertpfund are tied for fourth with 25 wins each.