by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — JP Hickory and Isn’t She Fancy kicked off the 2005 portion of the Dover Downs meet by winning the $14,500 co-features for young pacers. Im A Rustler Too and Up Front Hanover won the sub-featured races. George Dennis had a driving triple. Dover Downs Photo JP Hickory gets up at the wire to win the Saturday co-feature. Nick and Corey Callahan’s JP Hickory, fifth at the top of the lane, closed with a rush to win a four horse photo in 1:53.3 to take the first of two $14,500 four and five-year-old paces. Jim Morand drove the five-year-old Arturo gelding to edge another fast finisher, The Wrath Of Puppy (Eddie Davis, Jr.), second, and Point Well Taken (Brad Hanners), third.
In the second division, Amy Warrington’s Isn’t She Fancy enjoyed a perfect two hole trip for Steve Warrington, who hustled the Grinfromeartoear four-year-old along the passing lane to catch front pacing Little Rock Spur (Brad Hanners) in the final strides for a head victory in 1:53.1, her fourth straight conquest. Twelve Seventeen (Jack Parker, Jr.) closed for show money.
George Dennis piloted Im A Rustler Too, owned by Sam Jacobs and Crissman Inc., to a come-from-behind 1:53.3 victory in one of two $10,200 Delaware paces. Bolero Hanover (Brad Hanners) closed to finish second with Snickers Hanover (Eddie Davis, Jr.) third.
In the other division, 12-1 longshot Up Front Hanover, driven by Sean Bier for Doc & Me Inc. and Rojan Stables, won a tight photo after overtaking Gift For Monte (Mike Cole) in the final step in 1:55. Benedict Hanover (Eddie Dennis) took third.
Rompaway Ruth recorded her fourth consecutive win and fifth in six races, holding off a fast-finishing ATT Princess (Ross Wolfenden) by a head in 1:58 to win a $12,500 claiming allowance trot.
Saturday and Sunday starting times at Dover are 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.