by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Newcomer Somebody As, the race favorite, was never challenged en route to a 1:54.2 victory in the $20,000 Open Handicap trot on a longshot filled Wednesday, Feb. 24 card at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Somebody As was an easy winner of the Dover Downs feature on Wednesday.

Corey Callahan left quickly from the middle of an eight horse field to get the lead and never was tested on the way to his second win in four starts this year,cruising to his 23rd lifetime success,banking $465,583 in purses. The 7-year-old Striking Sahbra-Noblesse As gelding trained by Anette Lorentzon, was all alone at the wire for owners Kjell Johansson and breeder ACI Stuteri AB. Five Towns (Jonathan Roberts) came into the race with two wins in a row but had to settle for second. Six Gun Hall (George Dennis) in his first start of the year finished third. War Cry Hall (Vic Kirby), a winner of the last two Opens, was troubled by starting on the outside, but closed to finish fourth.

In the $15,500 4&5-Year-Old sub-feature trot, in mid-stretch, Inner Peace (Pat Berry) appeared on the way to victory when the gelding broke stride. Eskimo Joe, a 9-1 shot, then came on to record his first win of 2016, closing fast to nip Royal Becca J (Jack Parker Jr.) at the wire in 1:56.2. Joe Skowyra conditions Eskimo Joe, an altered son of Credit Winner-New Hampshire Girl, for Barbara Boese Trust. Marzipan (Dennis) came storming on the outside to take third.

George Dennis had a driving triple, two with horses trained by Kevin Lare for Frank Chick; Vic Kirby had a driving double.

Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs is dark on Friday and Saturday. This Sunday is the final Sunday card of the meet. Post time is 5:30 p.m.