Dover, DE – Major Occasion A, who finished a disappointing fourth as the heavy favorite last week, kicked into another gear to wear down Bettor Joy N in the late stages of the race to win by a nose in the Mares Open Pace on Wednesday (Feb. 26) at Dover Downs in 1:50.2.

Moments of Joy and Bettor Joy N left together for the early lead. Bettor Joy N aggressively pulled on Moments Of Joy at the quarter pole and cut the mile. Major Occasion A, the favorite, settled into fourth in the early going.

Major Occasion A wore down Bettor Joy N to win by a nose in the Mares Open Pace tonight at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

Bettor Joy N cut early fractions of 27.1 and 56.1. At the half, Dexter Dunn called upon Major Occasion A, who grinded up on the outside and pressured Bettor Joy N at the three quarter pole. They sprinted to the three quarters in 1:23.1 a 27 flat quarter.
Major Occasion A and Dexter Dunn wore down Bettor Joy N in the late stages of the Mares Open Pace this evening at Dover. Fotowon photo.

It wasn’t the time of the race that was impressive but the way she won. Major Occasion A paced an individual last half in 53.2 and a last quarter 26.4 on a balmy 49 degree evening.

Bettor Joy N finished second, her best performance of the year. She is trained by Jim King Jr., and driven by Tim Tetrick.
Moment’s of Joy N. sat the pocket trip but could not gain on the leaders in the stretch. She finished third for trainer Bryan Truitt and driver Montrell Teague.

Major Occasion A, (Art Major -Fake Occasion-Fake Left), is a New Zealand bred. The 6-year-old mare is owned by Enzed Racing Stable and trained by Nifty Norman.

On Thursday (Feb. 26) Dover Downs is seeking entries to compete in a $50,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, to be raced next Wednesday (March 4) The entry box closes at noon. Post Time is 4:30 p.m.