Dover, DE — After finishing second in six of his last eight starts, Shoobee Doo A proved a front-end winner in Thursday night’s (Dec. 30) $32,500 Open/Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs.

Shoobee Doo A outlasted a late onslaught to capture Thursday’s Open/Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

Corey Callahan sent Shoobee Doo A to the lead from post five, but the pair were parked to a :26.3 first quarter by Mack, who stubbornly yielded. Shoobee Doo A controlled middle fractions of :55 and 1:23 before facing a challenge from Major Crocker A, who pulled first-over at the five-eighths marker and towed 3-5 favorite Backstreet Shadow into contention. Despite late pressure from Major Crocker A and then pocket rival Mack, Shoobee Doo A kept a safe lead and won by a half length in 1:50.4. Mack finished second; Backstreet Shadow lifted off cover to narrowly reach third.

Trainer Dylan Davis co-owns Shoobee Doo A, a 6-year-old Shoobee’s Place gelding who paid $4.80 to win, with Michael Casalino Jr.

Driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Timmie Griffith, and owner Forrest Bartlett — of Forrest Skipper fame — combined to win three races on the card.

Racing returns to Dover Downs on Monday (Jan. 3) with a $2,851 pentafecta carryover and a 4:30 p.m. first post.