by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — Sheer Assault and Filled Donut are the ones to beat in the trotting feature while Mister Virgin puts a three-race win streak on the line in a claiming pace on Monday (Jan. 8) at Dover Downs.
In an all 4-year-old $12,000 trot, despite trouble in the homestretch last time, Sheer Assault, driven by Corey Callahan, finished third but was place fourth beaten a nose in a four-horse photo. Howard Taylor, Tom Lazzaro and trainer Dylan Davis are partners in the lightly raced trotter.
Filled Donut, who had been racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia, drew the rail for owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Lee Walls with Art Stafford Jr. handling the reins.
E&K Stable’s Callmeboomer has been racing well of late with a win, a second and a third in his last three starts.
The rest of the field includes Fred Hertrich’s Gravitator with Eddie Davis Jr. in the bike, one of two females in the field. The other is Magic Maddy driven by Tony Morgan for Lou Catana and trainer Vince Bradley.
Rounding out the lineup are Arty Foster’s Monteverdi and Russell Foster along with Jeff Start’s Paraglider teamed with Montrell Teague and Gary Simpson’s Ifya Start Me Up and Allan Davis.
It’s razor sharp Mister Virgin (Morgan) who is the one to catch and beat in the $17,500 claiming pace. Mister Virgin has recorded three consecutive wins in four starts this meet along with two close-up seconds for owner Ron Davis.
Last week Frank Chick’s Carracci Hanover (Eddie Davis Jr.) finished second but drew the rail this time. Myell’s Rockstar (Tim Tetrick) makes his first start for Bamond Racing who claimed him on New Year’s day and Jeff Start’s Rock On Precious (A. Davis) dropping down from the $25,000 claiming level, are expected to be formidable challengers.
Dover Downs now offers a 50-cent Pick-5 wager which starts with the second race through the sixth There is also a late daily double on the 12th and 13th races. Post time is 4:30 p.m.