by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — After nearly two months off, it required only his second start for JM Vangogh to get to the winner’s circle in the $27,500 Open Trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Elvis Cole took the sub-featured $23,000 Jr. Open Trot. Tim Tetrick and Tony Morgan each drove three winners.

Foto Won photo

JM Vangogh scored a 1:55.2 victory in the week’s top trot.

With Tony Morgan at the controls, JM Vangogh showed his power in the stretch, scoring a 1:55.2 victory in the week’s top trot. The world class trotter, now seven, held off a stretch rally from Breeze Hill Will and Tim Tetrick, second, while Mighty Moses, winner of the past two Opens with Jim Morand, and Go Sassy Go, driven by George Teague, finished in a dead heat for third.

“Elvis” was in the house in the $23,000 Jr. Open Trot. Corey Callahan, one of the most impressive of the new crop of drivers at the track, piloted Elvis Cole, owned by Parker Callahan and trainer Nick Callahan, to a lifetime record 1:54.1 victory in the secondary feature. Nathan My Boy, with Brad Hanners, took second money. Musclesextrodinair and Sean Bier finished third.

Vicki Gram came from out of the pack in mid-stretch to overtake front-trotting RC Destiny (Tony Morgan) late in the lane for a 1:56.1 win in a $17,000 winners over trot. Art Stafford, Jr. drove the Valley Victor mare for his dad, Art Stafford.

Tim Tetrick scored a 1:56.1 triumph, guiding royally bred My Huckleberry home in 1:56.1 to win a $13,000 conditioned trot. It was the Angus Hall 4-year-old’s third win in five starts this meet. White Hollow Bob (Roger Plante) was next. CC’s Glide-On-By (Sean Bier) finished third.

Awesome Character came on strong in the lane to chalk up a 1:54.2 success in a $12,000 Delaware Pace with Brad Hanners driving. Badlands Sammy (George Dennis) and Gin And Vermouth (Ross Wolfenden) were second and third, respectively.

Two $30,000 claiming features top Thursday card

A pair of $30,000 claiming paces top the Thursday, Feb. 22 program at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.

In the first $30,000 claimer, Arty and Eric Foster’s Supreme Dan won last time, but drew the outside post eight with Eddie Davis, Jr. driving. Killer Shark drops down in company and will be driven by Brad Hanners. Bill Emmons claimed Jaccar N last week and he will be driven by Tony Morgan. Roger Plante drives Casablanca Hall for Pat Tortorello and leaves from the rail.

The other contenders include Arty Foster, Jr.’s Fuzzy Charmer with Tony Morgan, Dave Krol and Pohl Lander Farms’ Art’s Sake, reined by Brad Hanners, Three Point Acres’ Marcus Mainbrace A with Tony Morgan, Nick Callahan’s GE Jackson, handled by Corey Callahan, and Bob Figliozzi’s Star Drifter N with Jim Morand.

In the other $30,000 claimer, both Three Point Acres’ just claimed Cloudy Heights N (Tim Tetrick) and Biojoba (Jim Morand), owned by Howard Taylor and Bill Mullin, step up after impressive victories last time to take on Dean Richardson’s Anthony’s Bliss (Brad Hanners) with the rail and Tom Weber’s Buster Seelster (Wayne Truitt).

Bill Emmons’ Home Run Hudson (Tony Morgan), Fred Hertrick’s JK Jack (Brandon Givens), Tamara Williams’ Franco Sequel N (Roger Plante) and Fred and Anita Fialkow’s Hoss Cartwright N (Jim Morand) have upset credentials.

Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday is a dark day. Saturday and Sunday post time is 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.