Dover, DE — Dali made his first appearance at Dover Downs since winning the 2008 Matron Final a 1:51.3 victory on a blustery cold Monday. Solano won the $32,500 Delaware Special while Transcending took the $26,000 Open Pace. Meet leading driver Ron Pierce had four wins.

Fotowon photo

Tim Tetrick piloted Dali to a 1:51.3 score on Monday at Dover.

When last at the track, Dali set a world and track record of 1:48.2 as a 3-year-old. On Monday, the Real Artist-Armbro Tea five-year-old notched a front-pacing 1:51.3 triumph in the $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, capped off by a :27.3 final panel, to hold four rivals at bay. Tim Tetrick steered the winner to his ninth win and $228,118 in earnings this season. Roger Plante-driven Harlingen Hanover stormed down the passing lane to nip Jeremy’s Successor and Sean Bier for second. Bettor Sweet, the program favorite, was scratched.

Solano won the $32,500 Delaware Special, scoring his third straight overall conquest for driver Ron Pierce and owners Wade and Kathleen Wyatt and Johnny Waite, who also trains. The No Pan Intended-Bloodstock Nilator 5-year-old won for the 14th time this year, upping his seasonal bankroll to $228,935. Eagle All closed strongly for Eric Goodell to take second with Astounding Hanover and Tim Tetrick third.

Transcending took the lead from Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick) at the quarter and led the rest of a 1:53.1 mile with Matt Kakaley drivng the winner for Weaver Bruscemi, Lawrence Karr, JJK Stables and Burke Racing. The public choice, Southwind Lynx (Montrell Teague), sat second behind the Grinfromeartoear-Apopka Denise 6-year-old, ending a two-race win streak. Funny Deacon (Jon Roberts) took a shot at the winner heading to the three-quarters, then held on for third. Transcending rang up his 10th win this season, making his seasonal earnings $185,000.

— Marv Bachrad

The Meadows
In the face of frigid conditions, Golden Receiver provided his own heat as he fashioned an easy front-end victory in Monday’s $22,500 Winners Over $10,000/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. With an announced temperature of 18 degrees and winds that made it feel substantially colder, Golden Receiver had little trouble setting all the fractions. He went to the front from post seven as the 4-5 favorite and prevailed for Dave Palone in a sharp 1:52.3. The pocket-sitting Handsome Prince was second, three-quarters of a length back, while Marty’s Charm closed for third. Mark Harder trains Golden Receiver, a 5-year-old Village Jove-Royal Gold gelding who now boasts $375,475 in career earnings, for Stable 45, Richard Taylor, Stephen Springer and Nina Simmonds. Brett Miller drove five winners and Palone four on the 15-race card.