Tough Mac wins featured trot at Dover

Dover,, DE — Tough Mac made up for a neck loss last week to win his fifth feature trot this meet on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Dover Downs.

Corey Callahan and Tough Mac quick stepped away from the starting gate and then kept his seven rivals at bay on the way to a 1:54 victory in the week’s top trot, the $18,000 Open/Handicap. Tirade Hanover , driven by Vic Kirby, made him work hard battling alongside the winner for much of the last half but could fare no better than second. I’m So Striking with Eddie Dennis closed well to finish third.

The victory boosted Tough Mac’s seasonal earnings to $35,000. Dylan Davis conditions the Lockkeeper-Traditional Lady black gelding for owner Mike Casalino. The 8-year-old won for the 14th time in his career with a $160,944 lifetime bankroll.

Mustang Art and Papa Ray head a strong field in the Thursday feature, the $25,000 Delaware Special.

Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are “dark” days. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.

— Marv Bachrad

The Meadows
Atta Boy Dan surrendered the lead at the three-quarters but found another gear late as he captured his second straight in Wednesday’s (Feb. 11) $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. A parked-out 27.1 opening panel made Atta Boy Dan vulnerable to the first-over bid of Royal Heart, who was able to cross over and move a length in front. When Dave Palone asked Atta Boy Dan for more, the 6-year-old Western Terror-Dropitlikeitshot gelding surged through the Lightning Lane, scoring in 1:53. Dew N Doughnuts was second, 1/2 length back, while Royal Heart saved show. Ron Burke trains Atta Boy Dan, who extended his career bankroll to $235,560, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, LLC. Tony Hall and Palone each piloted three winners on the 14-race card.

Buffalo Raceway
Ugly Betty and City Kid each rallied in deep stretch to pull out thrilling victories in the co-featured events at Buffalo Raceway on a snowy Wednesday night (February 11). Ugly Betty took the $9,500 fillies and mares pace in 1:57.2 while City Kid notched the win in the $9,500 conditioned trot in 2:00.4 over the good track. In the opening co-feature, Ugly Betty may have won the race in the opening quarter-mile. Memumsnotnice (Kevin Cummings) tried to get to the lead but was stung by Ugly Betty (Shawn Gray) who handed out a parking ticket before relenting at the first marker. From there, Ugly Betty ($10.00) drafted behind the pace-setter until the top of the stretch where the 7-year-old mare popped the pocket and wore down Memumsnotnice. Bad Girl Vegas (Billy Dobson) went down the passing lead and rallied fast for second place while Memumsnotnice had to settle for a disappointing third. Co-owned by Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone and trained by Dennis Dylo, it was the first victory of the season for Ugly Betty (Camluck-Red Road Rage). It moved her earnings in 2015 to $8,575 and $182,548 lifetime. As expected in the co-featured trot, Lutetium set sail to the top and dared anyone to catch him. While the betting public thought it was going to be Second Hand News, it was City Kid (Dobson) who did and sprung the $9.10 surprise. Lutetium (Cummings) had no trouble getting to the top, setting the tempo with times of 29.3, 59.4 and 1:30.3. It was City Kid, however, that sat the garden spot and trotted away from the tiring Lutetium to score the half-length victory. Long shot Northern Spark (John Cummings Jr.) took the show position. The heavily favored Second Hand News looked in perfect striking position on the outside before the three-quarter marker but failed to fire, settling for fifth place. City Kid (Cincinnati Kid-Salagadoola) is owned by Barbara Russo and is conditioned by Neal Russo. It was the second win in five starts this year for the 7-year-old gelding and pushed his winnings to $8,498 and $169.351 lifetime.

Miami Valley
The first leg of the Rootbeer Slammer Series, named after one of the most durable and popular open class pacers in the storied history of old Lebanon Raceway, was contested in two divisions on Wednesday (Feb. 11) night at Miami Valley Raceway. Big Bear Bow pulled off a mild upset from the inside number one post position in the first split; while Peck Blue Chip rewarded his backers, who made him the off-time favorite, with a win from the outside post position in the second. Driver Jeff Nisonger elected to let Big Bear Bow race fourth until pulling second-over into the outer flow approaching the halfway point. The 6-year-old gelding cleared Astronomer (Greg Grismore), who was the frontrunner, just past the three-quarter station and cruised to the finish in 1:56 over the “good” track dampened by a steady cold drizzle. Astronomer held for second with One Last Chance (Josh Sutton) finishing a creditable third. It was the 11th career tally for Big Bear Bow, who returned $10.20 to win, and pushed his earnings over $30,000 for trainer Eddie Poling and his partner James Martin. Reinsman Josh Sutton, who won five races on the program, set sail from the get-go with Peck Blue Chip, clearing to the front just past the quarter and holding all challengers at bay in 1:56.3. Navahoe (Andy Shetler) got the garden trip to finish second without seriously challenging the favored winner, who returned $5.40 for a two dollar ticket. Skyway Titan (Ken Holliday) completed the trifiecta ticket. Peck Blue Chip’s lifetime statistics are now 16 wins and $147,823 banked. He is trained and owned by Tom Blankenship. Jeremy Smith scored his 999th career victory behind JD’s First Lady in the eleventh race on the program. The 35-year-old Washington Court House, Ohio, native has eight drives on Thursday night’s 12-race program at Miami Valley. Post time is 6:30 p.m.