by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Amid a light snowfall, Texican N won the $30,000 Preferred Handicap, Mustang Art the $27,500 Delaware Special and Bandolito the $18,000 Open, the three top paces on Thursday (Jan. 2) at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Texican N was a 1:50.3 winner in the Preferred Handicap Pace.

Harry von Knoblauch’s Texican N put on a gritty front-pacing performance, with Ross Wolfenden, to set a personal speed record in 1:50.3 to win the $30,000 Preferred Handicap. Escape The News and Corey Callahan enjoyed a two-hole trip to finish second while Nova Artist, driven by Allan Davis, prompted the fast pace on the outside, then held on to finish third.

Peter Tritton conditioned the American-blooded, New Zealand-bred, altered son of Bettor’s Delight-Bury My Heart to his 16th lifetime win and $268,024 in duo-continent earnings.

Mustang Art, trained by Jim McGuire for owners Max Walton and Greg Papaleo, was at his best racing head-to-head against leader Sunshine Superman (Toby Lynch) for most of a 1:52.3 mile and still had enough in a :28.4 final panel to chalk up his 26th career trip to the winner’s circle. The victory was one of three for Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce. Pap Ray (Matt Kakaley) closed with a rush for place money. Malak Uswaad N (Ross Wolfenden) was third.

Bandolito, a late Summer acquisition by David Bier, Charles Dombeck and trainer-driver Daryl Bier, came on strongly in the lane for a 1:52.3 score in the $18,000 4- and 5-year-old Open. The win for the Ponder-Dody’s Home Brew 4-year-old brings his lifetime record to 10 wins in 12 starts and $198,840 in earnings. Handsome Henry K (Frank Milby) was a close second.

Corey Callahan and Ron Pierce had three wins apiece, while Allan Davis drove two winners.