by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Nova Artist, 2011-12 Horse of the Meet, showed his strong stretch kick to win the season’s first $27,500 Delaware Special while Second Wind N came from last to first in the $20,000 Open pace on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Nova Artist won the season’s first Delaware Special on Thursday at Dover Downs in 1:51.2 for driver Allan Davis.

In a program boasting fast finishing winners, trainer Eddie and Kathy Davis’ Noble Artist came from sixth at the half to catch public choice Malak Uswaad N and Tim Tetrick in the final strides for a 1:51.2 triumph on a track labeled as ‘good.’ Allan Davis drove his third winner on the card in racking up the Real Artist-Avon Lady 6-year-old’s seventh win of the campaign. He now has earned $739,717 for the Davises.

Malak Uwwaad N had sped out of third to overtake leader 99-1 Sunshine Superman, driven by Jason Lynch, at the three-quarters and held the lead until just before reaching the finish line. Sunshine Superman held on for third.

In the $20,000 Open Handicap pace, with Forever Just, a pre-race scratch, Harry von Knoblaugh’s Second Wind N got away last in a select field reduced to five starters. Tim Tetrick waited until mid-backstretch to move the winner three-wide turning for home and then charged home on the outside for his fourth of the year bringing his seasonal bankroll to $103,810. Bullet Speed (Matt Kakaley) got up for second edging No Hill High (Corey Callahan), third.

Owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Laquinta, and trainer Eric Ell made the winner’s circle for the third time when Adventure Bound nipped Mystic Desire (Matt Kakalely) at the wire in 1:51.3 to win a $15,000 Male Winners-Over pace. It was Hall of Famer Ron Pierce’s second win.

This Sunday, many of the sports finest 2-and-3-year-olds meet in all eight divisions of the Matrons.