by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Racsan John won easily, while Greenspring Zeke came from nowhere to win the $14,500 co-feature races on Sunday, January 25 at Dover Downs.

Dover Downs Photo

Racsan John was an easy winner in Sunday’s co-feature at Dover.

For the second straight time and third in his last four outings, Racsan John toyed with a field of young horses to score a 1:54¹ victory in the first of two $14,500 four and five-year-old paces.

Herve Filion pulled the Wynfield Mark homebred out of fourth in front of the grandstand and quickstepped into the lead on the clubhouse turn and then cruised away from his seven rivals and opened up on the final turn to win by six lengths. A 43-1 shot Kovacev (Vic Kirby) finished second with Up Front Hanover (Ross Wolfenden) third.

Racsan John, a four-year-old Delaware-bred gelding owned by Don Hawk, John Hynanasky and trainer Dan Warrington, has won seven of his 12 lifetime starts with two seconds.

Dover Downs Photo

Greenspring Zeke motored up the passing lane to win Sunday’s other co-feature.

Phil Callahan’s 6-1 Greenspring Zeke made up a world of ground driving along the passing lane to get up at the wire in 1:54⁴ to win the second $14,500 event.

Yare (George Dennis) appeared to have the race in hand as the field turned down the lane but halfway home Yare shortened steps as Truly Signful came rushing along the inside and Global Scale (Vic Kirby) on the outside.

Meantime, Greg Callahan got Greespring Zeke into high gear beating them all to the wire. Truly Signful took second with Global Scale third.

Peter Tritton’s Franco New Deal N was a strong 1:53⁴ winner in a $12,000 conditioned pace. Steve Warrington left fast with the New Zealand-bred son of Falcon Seelster to get the lead and was well in command through his first pari-mutuel victory in the U.S. The Cammissioner (Jim Morand) was second. Tommy’s Eldorado (Vic Kirby) was the show horse.

C’mon Forty-Niner, claimed out of his last race, made a successful first start for Jim Cane and driver Bobby Shahan, turning in a wire-to-wire 1:54² triumph to win a $30,000 claiming pace. Four Starzzz Matt (Mike Cole) outstepped Artdotcam (Eddie Davis, Jr.) to place honors.

Following a six month respite from injury, Chris Rosania’s Eddie Spaghetti returned to the winner’s circle in the day’s top trot, a $6,500 conditioned event. Roger Plante enjoyed a perfect two hole trip on the way to the 1:59⁴ win. SF Celtic (Tim Curtin) shaded early leader Superseth (Walter Callahan) for second.

Monday through Thursday post time at Dover Downs is 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday racing starts at 5:30 p.m. There is no live racing on Fridays. No charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call (302) 674-4600, ext. 3773.