by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Wednesday (Feb. 15) was a “King’s ransom” at Dover Downs. Jim King dominated the morning qualifiers by winning five of the non-betting races, then on the official race program, haltered another three winners including the $20,000 Open Trot Handicap feature.

Meanwhile, in his first 2017 appearance at a racetrack, Tim Tetrick had a full day. He drove four winners in qualifiers and added three more on the evening card.

Fotowon photo

Frost Free Hanover was a 1:55.3 winner in the Open Trot Handicap.

Frost Free Hanover notched his third win of the year in the feature, overtaking the race favorites to score a 1:55.3 triumph.

Content to sit back while Uva Hanover (Tony Morgan) took the early lead, only to relinquish it to Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), the 9-5 favorite Il Mago (Tetrick) moved to the front in front of the grandstand.

Il Mago continued to lead the way with Tirade Hanover (Yannick Gingras) coming alongside until just past the three-quarters. Vic Kirby then shot past, driving Rich Polluci’s Frost Free Hanover, taking the field to the finish line in 1:55.3. Tirade Hanover held on for second with 56-1 I’m So Striking (Eddie Dennis) hustling down the lane for third.

In the $15,500 Winners Over trot, Celebrity Pegasus turned in a big 1:54.3 victory after starting in the second tier with Art Stafford Jr. in the bike.

Stafford moved the son of Andover Hall-Celebrity Athena to the outside on the turn to the half-mile and worked his way up to second on the outside approaching the final turn. Celebrity Pegasus then accelerated and breezed home to hold off favorite Earl’s Speeder (Callahan) at the wire. Bluebird Reverend (Montrell Teague) was a nose away in third.

In addition to King’s training triple, Tetrick, Stafford Jr. and Allan Davis had three driving wins each; Corey Callahan added two trips to the winner’s circle.

It’s another powerhouse Thursday program headlined by the $30,000 Preferred and $27,500 Delaware Special and hard-hitting undercard.