by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — A pair of New Zealand breds won the top two events on the Tuesday, February 3 program at Dover Downs. Crossfire N won the $20,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:55⁴ while Rondel Franco N went two ticks faster to win the $15,500 Mares Winners Over Pace.

Dover Downs Photo

Crossfire N (on the inside) holds off Cams Little Imp N in the Dover feature.

Mike Cole took Wendy Crissman and 49 Racing Stable’s Crossfire N right to the front in the feature race and controlled the pace the rest of the mile to score her first win of 2004 to go with a second and two thirds in five starts. Cams Little Imp N (Brad Hanners) was locked in until late in the stretch and closed with a rush to within a neck of the winner at the wire. Chocolate Square (Bret Brittingham) was the third place finisher.

Dover Downs Photo

Rondel Franco N was a three length winner in the Dover sub-feature.

Earlier, Rondel Franco N (Brad Hanners) held off a late charge from Hugs Fanci (Eddie Davis) to notch a 1:55² victory in the $15,000 distaff sub-feature. Love That Hall (Greg Grismore) finished third.

Brandrew Racing and Club Risque Stable’s Crown Pro overcame starting from outside post eight to win the day’s top trot, a $10,500 event. Herve Filion left fast to find a seat behind race favorite My Royal Aim (Toby Lynch), who led until the final strides. Crown Pro closed along the passing lane to score a 1:59⁴ victory. Meadowagogo (Eddie Davis) finished third.

Vic Kirby drove Ashlee Reed’s 31-1 shot I’m A Pilgrim to a come from behind 1:58¹ win in a $10,800 Delaware Pace. Bubbaonthemove (Brad Hanners) held on for second. Allies Shuffle (George Dennis) was next.

In a $17,500-$20,000 claiming handicap, Rodney Mitchell’s Simply Electric moved to the outside in front of the grandstand and then came three wide heading to the three-quarters. The six-year-old Electric Yankee mare finally caught leader Red Teddy (Brad Hanners) in mid-stretch before pulling off a 1:55³ triumph. Seasin (Roger Plante) took show honors.

Wesley Nolan’s Darten Sam opened up a big lead on the backstretch and the Brad Hanners-driven gelding cruised to a 1:55 win in one of two $15,000 claiming paces. Homer And Dale (Billy Mann) and Da Baby (Eddie Davis, Jr.) were second and third respectively.

Master Dale N, owned by Howard Levine and Alan Lerner, used the same tactic to win the other $15,000 claimer. Hal Belote drove the gelding into the lead at the start and was never challenged in a 1:57² triumph. Hammerhead Jack (George Dennis) closed on the inside to nip Bojangles N (Herve Filion) for place position.

Monday through Thursday post time at Dover is 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday racing starts at 5:30 p.m. There is no live racing on Fridays. No charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call (302) 674-4600, ext. 3773.