Dover, DE –  Heavy rains did not deter Scuola Hanover secures her third consecutive win and takes the Mares Open Pace at Dover Downs on Wednesday (March 24) night.

Moments of Joy, the 4/5 race favorite, and her driver Victor Kirby, blasted off the wings and cleared for the early lead. She set uncontested fractions of :27.2 to the quarter, and the half in :56.3. The field remained in single file until Scuola Hanover moved off the rail from third. Art Stafford Jr. and Scuola Hanover were in full throttle as they aggressively

Scuola Hanover makes it three in a row at Dover on Wednesday night. Fotowon photo.

challenged the pacesetter Moments Of Joy and Victor Kirby before the three-quarter station.

The dueling mares unleashed a :27.3 quarter, as they reached the three-quarters in 1:24.1. In the deep stretch, Scuola Hanover was able to maneuver past a game, Moments Of Joy, to the wire.

Scuola Hanover (Rocknroll Dance) won by one and a quarter lengths in 1:51.1 and paid $5.80. She paced a last half in :54 and a last quarter in :27 flat, over a rain soaked, sloppy track.

It was her third consecutive victory for owners, Arthur and Andrew Stafford as well as Thomas Ireland. In the paddock after the race, trainer Andrew Stafford cited “ She is a worker and wants to race”. “She has a great attitude and has never been better.” Her driver, Art Stafford Jr. agreed with his brother Andrew Stafford.

Moments Of Joy raced hard, but finished second for trainer Bryan Truitt. Infinite Symbol A sat the pocket and finished third for trainer Dylan Davis. Tim Tetrick was in the bike.

Racing resumes on Thursday night with a post time of 4:30 p.m.