by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — For the second consecutive start Ladyfield proved the best in the $26,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Dover Downs.

Foto Won photo

Ladyfield won her second straight in the top feature for pacing mares.

With meet leading driver Tony Morgan at the reins, Ladyfield racked up her 13th win of the season, turning back five rivals in the top distaff event of the week. Ladyfield won easily with Kellytuck Sophie and Jonathan Roberts closing for second money in front of Stonebridge Kisses and Kevin Sizer.

Ladyfield has now banked $178,011 for the Keelers — Joyce, Kathleen and Linda. The Michigan-bred Armbro Cadet 4-year-old has won three of her last six starts, to go along with three seconds.

Vic Kirby, who had two driving wins, moved Dance Hall into the lead on the clubhouse turn and the 5-year-old daughter of Blissfull Hall held off runner-up Easter Egg Hunt (Roger Plante) for a 1:53.3 victory in the $16,000 Mares Pace. Bay Express N (Corey Callahan) finished third.

The victory is the sixth of the season for Dance Hall, owned by Don Hawk and trainer Dan Warrington. She has banked $114,150 this season.

Tony Morgan and Jim Morand had two winning drives each.

Twin $22,000 Jr. Open Trots head Wednesday card

A pair of 22,000 Jr. Open co-feature trots lead the Wednesday, Dec. 19, card at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Mighty Moses, owned by Ken and Betsy Wood, Bill Dittmar, and Steve Iaquinta, with Jim Morand driving, and Lauren Allen and Foulk Stables’ Rose Run Flash and Mike Cole, last week’s split division winners, lineup in one of the two top trots of the week.

They take on Dan and Tom Jake’s Nordic, driven by Tim Curtin, who had no room closing well in the stretch last time; J&E Stable’s Go Nano Go, second for Eddie Davis, Jr.; and Arty Foster’s Spunky Sue, who led until the closing strides with Tony Morgan only to finish second. Julianna Edwards’ Khifra Hanover was a strong finishing third for Frank Milby in a wide open field of eight starters.

Put Them On Hold, a winner the previous week with owner/trainer/driver Toby Lynch and strong closer Sugar Valley Alley, owned, trained and driven by Carlo Poliseno round out the field.

Ellen Moffitt and trainer Ron Millman’s Twin B Tween, a 1:58 winner, moves up to take on several seasoned second $22,000 Jr. Open Trot starters.

Magic Swan, owned by Jim Harris and Paul and Jeff Long, leaves from the rail with Vic Kirby and George Dennis drives Rattlesnake Jake for Anita and Fred Fialkow and Harness The Power. Lloyd Arnold’s Ms Virginia with Tony Morgan; Grand Photo, Bob Shahan driving for Jeff and Jewell Marsh and Cindy Issel; and Marion Andrews’ Traveling Lite with Ross Wolfenden are also in the mix.

Also starting are Steve Anderson and Suzanne Hunsberger’s Altered States with Ryan McInnis, and Clayton Delaney, owned by Allan Davis and Andrew Fulton with driver Mike Cole in the bike.

Wednesday and Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing at Dover Downs from Friday, Dec. 21 until Saturday, Dec. 29 due to a week-long Christmas Holiday Break. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.