by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Nidya A broke out of a recent “bridesmaid” roll to score a 1:53 victory in the $26,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Tim Tetrick steered Nidya A to a 1:53 win in the Dover feature.

With five second place finishes in her last six starts, Nidya A, overlooked at 8-1, stormed down the lane for Tim Tetrick to overtake leader Pacific Philly and Eddie Davis, Jr. in the last few strides to win the week’s top distaff feature. Public choice Stonebridge Kisses spent the fast last half on the outside for teamster Eric Goodell and closed to within a neck of the winner in the three-horse photo finish. Nidya A is owned by WJ McDougall and Paul McDougall Racing and is trained by Peter Tritton.

Two races earlier, Goodell piloted Flirtwithedealer, owned by Tom Ireland and Ron Killen, to a 10-1 victory in 1:54.3 in one of two $21,000 Mares Winners Over Paces. Kash Luv, driven by Tim Tetrick, was a close-up second. Fritzie Bunnie and Mike Cole finished third.

In the other $21,000 division, Sean Bier took Three Point Acres’ Ultimate Bet to the front and never looked back in a strong 1:52.2 performance. Dream-A-While finished second with Art Stafford, Jr. while Brandon Givens drove Millwood Ashley N to a third place finish.

$26,000 Open Trot tops solid Wednesday card

A $26,000 Open Trot and a $22,000 Jr. Open Trot tops a solid Wednesday, Jan. 16, program at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Six of the eight trotters in the $26,000 Open have a win in their previous two starts, while the other two show a win in their last three races.

Last week’s event winner, Martin Scharf’s Self Professed and Tony Morgan, drew the rail with last season’s Trotter of the Meet Elvis Cole, with Corey Callahan, alongside. Rose Run Flash and Mike Cole finished second last week after a win the week before. PT Stable’s White Hollow Bob, driven by George Dennis, was third a week ago.

Both M&M Harness Racing’s Saint Johns Boy, teamed with Ross Wolfenden, and Mighty Moses, driven by Jim Morand for Ken and Betsy Wood, Steve Iaquinta and Bill Dittmar, were winners of twin $22,000 Jr. Opens last Wednesday. LA Express Stable’s Striking Mystery, handled by Tim Curtin, and Tom and Gregg Morris’ Safari Heat, steered by Roger Plante, are the other starters.

Arty Foster’s Spunky Vic finished second in last week’s $22,000 Jr. Open and draws post two this time. Dan and Tom Courtemanche’s Jake’s Nordic raced under duress with Tim Curtin last time and still finished a close-up third. J&E Stable’s Go Nano Go and Eddie Davis, Jr. has been a factor in most recent starts.

Jim Harris and trainer Jeff Long’s Magic Swan and Vic Kirby leave from the rail, while Grand Photo, owned by Jeff and Jewell Marsh and Cindy Issel, drew outside post eight with Bob Shahan for the second straight week.

Not to be overlooked are Rusty’s Biggie, with Roger Plante driving for Horsemans Financial and Premier Racing; Brite Speed N, driven by Vic Kirby for Preston Walls and Nanticoke Racing; and Rattlesnake Jake, George Dennis driving for Fred and Anita Fialkow and Harness The Power.

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