by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Pacific Philly, a 24-1 longshot, came from sixth on the final turn to score a 1:52 victory in the $32,000 Mares Open Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Fotowon photo

Pacific Philly rallied in the stretch to win the Mares Open Pace.

Driver Eddie Davis, Jr. altered his tactics in the week’s top distaff feature, choosing to race Pacific Philly from off the pace instead of on the front end and it paid off with a come from behind win. Davis whirled the winner out of sixth as the field began to bunch at the top of the lane. Pacific Philly sped on the far outside past a three-horse wall in deep stretch to zoom to victory by a half length with Easter Egg Hunt and Roger Plante racing down the passing lane to finish second. Fionavar Hanover with Tim Tetrick took show honors. The Pacific Fella-sired 6-year-old was bred and is owned by Bob Messick and is trained by Tim Torbert.

In one of two $24,000 Mares Winners Over Paces, Glen Asher’s Mr Deli’s Filly, off at 6-1, took command heading to the far turn on the way to a lifetime mark of 1:52.2. The Jason Skinner conditioned Artiscape 4-year-old was followed to the wire by Bikini Bottom and Eric Goodell, unable to get to the passing lane in time to challenge. Shady Sabrina, piloted by Tim Tetrick, was third.

The other $24,000 section found Eric Goodell sitting second behind Camturo until the top of the lane before pulling out and overtaking front-pacing Cowgirls And Indians with Tony Morgan in a 1:52.3 winning performance. Neal Osksenberg owns the Arturo 7-year-old, trained by Sam Beegle, who posted her second straight victory. Riley Rose and Jim King finished third.

Self Professed goes for fourth straight in $32,000 Open Trot

Self Professed, a winner of the last three Open Trots, heads an eight-horse field going for $32,000 on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Last week saw Martin Scharf’s Self Professed take advantage of a tenacious dogfight on the front end that continued until the stretch. The sport’s leading driver in 2008, Tony Morgan, moved alertly from last at the half to sixth at the three-quarters and fifth turning for home to overtake all en route to a 1:55.1 feature race victory. Corey Callahan drove Nick Callahan and Parker Callahan’s Elvis Cole to within a half length of the winner, while Rose Run Flash, owned by Lauren Allen and Foulk Stables, was only three-quarters behind in third. Jake’s Nordic and Tim Curtin, although racing outside for most of the mile, still finished just 2-3/4 lengths back.

Alvin Beiler’s Don Boss Vita, after stallion duty in Delaware last year, is back on the track. Jonathan Roberts will drive the top class trotter from post one. Mighty Moses, now back in best form for owners Ken and Betsy Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, will be driven by Jim Morand, while Ross Wolfenden is in the bike behind M&M Harness Racing’s Saint Johns Boy. Another newcomer is Mike Kabrick’s HZ Easy with Kevin Sizer down to drive.

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.