by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — A 20-degree cold could not stop Lucky NZ from winning his second straight $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace in a stunning 1:50.1 on Monday, Jan. 21, at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Lucky NZ was a 1:50.1 winner for Ron Pierce in the $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.

Ron Pierce moved Lucky NZ three-wide at the three-quarters to overtake the leaders on the last turn and then pulled away entering the stretch. Tim Tetrick was sitting second with Sharky Osborne behind leader Prince Of Luck and Brandon Givens, but could not wait for the passing lane. Tetrick moved Sharky Osborne to the outside, but too late to catch the winner.

The win was the second for Lucky NZ, a 9-year-old Falcon Seelster gelding trained by Ernie Adams for Summersby Stable. Sharky Osborne was a close second with Prince Of Luck holding on for third.

While owner-trainer George Teague was at the Tattersalls Mixed Sale, his well thought of 4-year-old Mr Apples, with Jim Morand at the controls, overtook pacesetting Klondike Kid and Eric Goodell in the stretch to score a 1:52.2 triumph in the $32,500 Delaware Special Invitational. Wardog Hall and Brian Sears came on for third.

Fox Valley Armor, with Yannick Gingras holding the lines, battled front-pacing Home Run Hudson and Eric Goodell in a stretch long duel, before the Sylvia Burke and Weaver Bruscemi-owned Sportsmaster gelding got up for a 1:51 victory in the $26,000 Open Pace. Marchand and Ross Wolfenden closed strongly to pick up third money. Mickey Burke, the sport’s leading trainer, conditions Fox Valley Armor.

The Monday scoreboard read Tim Tetrick with five wins, Brian Sears and Eric Goodell, three each. Josh Green had three trainer wins; Dylan Davis, Kevin Lare and Sam Beegle had two. Howard Taylor, Harness The Power and PT Stable posted two owner wins.

Nidya A returns in $26,000 distaff Open

Nidya A, last week’s winner, takes on seven foes, including two newcomers, in the $26,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, Jan. 22. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Nidya A, with Tim Tetrick driving, came from off the pace to overtake Bob Messick’s Pacific Philly and Eddie Davis, Jr. in the final strides to win this event a week ago. The win for the Albert Albert mare ended a long run of five seconds and a third in her previous races for WJ McDougall and Paul McDougall racing stables.

This week, Tom Ireland and Ron Killen’s Flirtwithedealer with Eric Goodell and Three Point Acres Ultimate Bet, piloted by Sean Bier, come in off wins last week in the twin winners-over sub-features.

New to the lineup are a pair of distaffs arriving from Yonkers — Richard Hallahan’s Leanback Coco, with Jim Morand, and Corey Callahan, behind Bulletproof Enterprises’ Dangerous Years.

Last week, a five-race win streak ended for Fionavar Hanover with a fifth place finish. The sport’s leading driver this year, Tony Morgan, drives for Sylvia Burke, Frank Baldachino and Howard Taylor. Easter Egg Hunt, owned by Jim Sita and Karen Feeney, drew outside post eight.

In the $21,000 Mares Winners Over Pace, Richard Roberts and Charles Harvey’s Besmitten By A Vet steps up in class with Tim Curtin after a fast finishing victory, but most overcome starting from the outside. The nine-horse field contains a pair of starters that were second last week; Delco Stables and trainer-driver Art Stafford, Jr.’s Dream-A-While, with three seconds and a win in her last four outings, and George Brem’s Kash Luv with Tim Tetrick. After a two-week absence, Dance Hall, with Vic Kirby driving for Don Hawk and trainer Dan Warrington, starts from the rail.

Both Millwood Ashley N, owned by Ed Maas, Nanticoke Racing and trainer-driver Brandon Givens, along with Bill and Rich Fritts’ Fritzie Bunnie, with Mike Cole, leaving from post nine in the second tier, finished third last time.

Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. Friday is a dark day at the track. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.