by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Hugs Fanci rolled down the lane to catch front-pacing Cams Little Imp N deep in the stretch for a 1:53² victory in the $22,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, February 26 at Dover Downs. It was one of four winning drives for Brad Hanners on the card.

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Hugs Fanci (Brad Hanners) gets up on the outside to win the Tuesday feature at Dover.

In the feature event, Cams Little Imp N (Ross Wolfenden) had a two length lead as the eight distaffs turned down the stretch. Brad Hanners then got Hugs Fanci into action and the On The Road Again five-year-old gobbled up ground steadily to catch and pass the leader on the way to her second win in four starts this season for John Sixt and Judith Blaun. Hasty Dewar (Kevin Sizer), after starting from post eight, came home well to finish third.

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Felicity and Jim Morand captured an $11,500 Mares Pace.

Jim Morand was at it again in an $11,500 Mares Pace when Carter Racing Stable’s Felicity made a three-wide move heading to the three-quarters to circle the field, then outpaced her eight rivals home to score a 1:55⁴ triumph. Time Frame N (Eddie Davis) was the early leader and held second. My Gal Phyl (Roger Hammer) took third money.

Carter Racing collected its second winner when Travis Bowman steered IZU to a 1:57² clocking to win a $7,500 Delaware Mares claiming pace.

Hanners led off his quadruple guiding Bobbie Swain’s 12-1 grey gelding, Bacon Hill Jake, to a come from behind 1:57 win in a $15,000 claiming pace. Alpine Charger (Eddie Davis, Jr.) was next. Dance N Drive (Travis Bowman) was third.

Scissor Magic, owned by Gary and Barbara Iles, was another Hanners winner in a $9,500 Mares Pace. The five-year-old Presidential Ball mare recorded a 1:54³ win, beating Pastrami Hanover (Richard Still) and Fernbank Franny (George Dennis) to the wire.

GT Nine N, owned by Tim Beaver and Jim Webb, was Hanners’ fourth trip to the winner’s circle.

Jim King piloted Helen Looney and JoAnn King’s 30-1 shot Lamaze Hanover to a 1:55² win in a $12,000 Delaware Pace. Circum Navigator (Eddie Dennis) nipped Fritzie Jaylo (Billy Mann) for place honors.

In the $10,500 feature trot, Private Pennant, owned by Massina Stables and trainer-driver Mark Lancaster, won for the first time in 2004, scoring a 1:57 triumph. GTO (Jim Morand) closed to finish second with Clayton Delaney (Eddie Davis) third.

Costly Legs, owned by Steve Warrington and Rebecca Pitre, notched her third consecutive open lengths victory in 1:57 in an $8,200 Delaware Pace. Eddie Davis, Jr. catch-drove the Delaware-bred daughter of Wynfield Mark. She’s So Fine N (Ross Wolfenden) and Mds Midnight Fury (Hal Belote) were second and third respectively.

So Striking, R Little Am Lo seek streak extention in $22,000 trot

So Striking and R Little Am Lo, winners last time out, head a strong field of eight in the $22,000 Open Trot on Wednesday, February 25 at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

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So Striking heads the favorites in Wednesday’s Open Trot.

All season long, Rich Crammer and Bobby Reeser’s So Striking has been a factor in his starts in Open company, but it took an earlier than usual brush by driver Tim Curtin to take the lead after the three-quarter pole to get the eight-year-old Striking Sahbra horse a trip to the winner’s circle in his last start. Tom Crouch’s Prank Player and Ross Wolfenden closed well but could get only within three lengths of the winner last time. Jacquie Ingrassia steered Goalfish, who she owns with Arden Homestead Stable, from seventh at the three-quarters to third.

R Little Am Lo, owned by Ken Wood and Howie Perlmutter, with Travis Bowman in the bike, steps back up into the Open after winning the Winners Over Trot in his previous start.

Trillium Stable’s classy Scully FBI, handled by Herve Filion, must overcome staring from outside post eight.

Another viable contender is Green Racing and driver Jim Morand’s Put Them On Hold, a trotter who has always been a factor in local starts.

Frank Ambrose and Tony Poliseno’s Zizi’s Comet, with Steve Warrington returning following a racing injury, seeks to get back his recent form which saw the seven-year-old Ohio bred gelding win six races in a row prior to his first loss of the season two races back.

Murray and Peter Goldberg’s classy veteran Always On Guard, with Jim Marshall III, is also burdened by starting from post seven.

A pair of $10,800 Delaware Paces and a $25,000 claiming pace are on the strong undercard.

Trainer-driver Bryan Truitt’s Hahn’s Specialty, Wilson and David Clark’s Tug River Jim (Ross Wolfenden), Back Spin (Brad Hanners), owned by Teague Inc. and K & K Racing, and Sam Jacobs’ The Ides Of March (Kevin Sizer) head one of the two conditioned pace sub features.

In the other section, Serendipity Stable’s Fait Accompli (Tim Curtin), Rapport Hanover (Jim King), owned by Helen Looney and JoAnn King, and David Slayback’s Allamerican Campy (Kevin Sizer) are the horses to beat.

In the $25,000 claimer, Brooks Stables’ Moe Knows (Kevin Sizer) leaves from the second tier facing Simply Electric, claimed after her third consecutive win by Jeffrey Franklin last time out, Rodney Mitchell’s Kokocabana (Kenny Mitchell) and Cantwell Bridge Stable’s often claimed Smokey Range N (Brad Hanners).

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