Rain Dance Kim, Chocolate Square win Dover features
January 21, 2004,by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Rain Dance Kim, in customary come from behind fashion, won the $20,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, while Chocolate Square held off a quartet of fast finishing distaffers in the $15,000 sub-feature on Tuesday, January 20 at Dover Downs.
Dover Downs Photo
Rain Dance Kim used the passing lane to win the Mares Open Handicap Pace.
Travis Bowman zipped along the passing lane to finish first, beating Cams Little Imp N (Ross Wolfenden) and Armbro View (Jim Morand) in 1:542 on another cold and windy night.
The win is the second in three starts for the Steve LeBlanc trainee and owner Jeffrey Franklin. Last season Rain Dance Kim was voted the track’s Horse of the Meet.
The first of two wins for driver Bret Brittingham came in the $15,000 Mares Winners Over Pace. The family horse, owned by Elizabeth, trained by husband Don, with son Bret driving, notched her second straight win, both starting from the rail.
Dover Downs Photo
Chocolate Square (in the middle) captured the Mares Winners Over Pace.
Bret Brittingham took Chocolate Square right to the front after the opening panel and then had to fight off a host of converging rivals in the stretch. Nuclear Power (Jim King) finished second, a step in front of Rondel Franco N (Brad Hanners).
Simply Electric and Kenny Mitchell peeled off four closing horses to score an easy 1:552 victory in a $10,500 race for female pacers. Second place finisher Love A Lab (Ross Wolfenden) closed on the inside while My Gal Phy (Roger Hammer) was outside taking third.
Art Brewer’s Try Kacy N, at 13 one of the oldest horses now racing at the track, won one for the senior citizens. Jim Morand used the passing lane to score the win. Sunburnt Fella A (Bret Brittingham) came on fast to finish second while pacesetting The Master N (Herve Filion) held on for third in a tight photo.
In a $10,500 conditioned trot, Crown Prince Gar, a five-year-old stakes winning son of Garland Lobell, had just enough to reach the finish line a head in front of his seven-year-old Program Speed half brother Crown Pro in 1:574. Jim Morand chose the passing lane route to post his first win of the season. Crown Pro (Herve Filion) was second. Private Pennant (Mark Lancaster) closed well to be third.
A four race win streak came to an end in a $15,000 claiming trot when Donald Irving and Sam McMichael’s GTO, off at 11-1, defeated Kawarau Invasion N in 1:583, handing the 11-year-old his first loss this meet after four consecutive victories. Treason (Frank Milby) finished third.
Monday through Thursday post time at Dover is 4:30. There is no live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing starts at 5:30 p.m. 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.