by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE —
Baldachino, Outten and Green Racing’s The Cammissioner, with Jim Morand driving, made good use of post one in notching a 1:54.1 victory in the $40,000 claiming pace. The win was the first of the year for the six-year-old son of Camluck trained by Josh Green. Life Moves On (George Dennis) closed strongly along the passing lane but could get no closer than half a length of the winner. Perfect Cam (Steve Warrington), took show honors.
Bob Reeser took So Striking, a nine-year-old he owns with Rich Crammer, right to the front and cut out all the fractions in a 1:57.4 victory, his second in a row, in the day’s top trot carrying an $11,500 purse. D’amico Cucina (Tim Curtin) was second with Racsan Jenny (Steve Warrington), who raced more than half a mile on the outside, finishing third, ending a four race win streak.
Trainer George Teague continues with a hot stable. Brenda Teague’s Wildest Dreams received a confident drive from Ross Wolfenden en route to a 1:57.3 victory in a $10,800 Delaware four and five-year-old pace. It was the second straight win for the Dream Away gelding. Rocky Ridgerunner (Kevin Sizer) closed to finish second with Hy Bert (Tim Curtin) third.
Il Gusto N, owned by Don Hawk, John Hynansky and trainer Dan Warrington, was a 7-1 winner in the first of three $20,000 claiming allowances. Steve Warrington drove the Holmes Hanover gelding to his first win of the New Year. Pierce Arrow (Daryl Bier) and Dudley Death Drop (George Dennis) were second and third, respectively.
Meet leading driver Brad Hanners notched a triple. Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Prince Of Flight N recorded a 1:55.3 decision to win the second $20,000 claimer. Real Hush (Eddie Davis) picked up second money with Rainmaker Hanover (Ross Wolfenden) taking third place honors.
In the third $20,000 claimer, George Dennis completed a back-to-back driving double chauffeuring Back Spin, off at 16-1, to victory for Bonnie Allen and Brenda Sue Harper, in 1:55.2. A 10-1 shot, Soulabration (Vic Kirby) was second and 13-1 Top Flite Hanover (Kevin Sizer) took third.
The biggest payoff came when Max Walton’s 21-1 shot, Wireless Image, repulsed eight opponents to score a career fastest 1:57.4 victory in a $9,500 conditioned trot. The Balanced Image gelding bested Keystone Stratus (Jim King) and Chelemark Misty (Ross Wolfenden), the closest runners-up.
Eight vie in $22,000 Open Trot on Thursday
A strong field of eight fast trotters led by Love You Most and Mr Incredible collide in the $22,000 Open Handicap Trot on Thursday, January 20 at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
After missing a start last week, Ed and George Hobbs’ sharp Yankee Glide mare Love You Most returns and with trainer-driver Eddie Dennis in the bike, starts from the outside in the feature race.
Last Thursday, Vic Kirby wheeled Preston Walls’ Mr Incredible out of last and ate up the track, passing horses to breeze home in 1:56 by two and a quarter lengths to win the Open.
In his first start in nearly a month, Dan and Tom Courtemanche’s Jake’s Nordic, with Tim Curtin, put in a good effort in finishing second.
Newcomers to the field are Deliberate Foul, with Leah Vandervort, driving for owners Bill Vandervort and Tony Salomone, winner of last week’s Winners Over Trot and Trillium Racing Stable’s Rickie, with trainer-driver Jim Raymer, who finished 2004 in fine style and now makes his 2005 debut.
Other noteworthy contenders are Play Chip, owned by Massina Stables and trainer-driver Mark Lancaster, leaving from the rail, with Rojan Stable and Doc & Me Inc.’s Rocky Balboa, with Hal Belote, alongside. Crystal Ball Stable’s Notorious Buck, with driver Travis Bowman, completes the lineup.
Two $30,000 claimers head the pacing features. In the first division, a trio of starters make their first appearances for new connections. Pacific Challenger (Herve Filion) for Brandrew Racing and Club Risque Stable, Hale Hylight (Kevin Sizer), now owned by Woody Long and trainer Bobby Glassmeyer, and Rich N Dandy, for Ricky Pryor, Crissy Crissman and driver Bret Brittingham, were all claimed last time out.
Meanwhile, Bobby Rice’s Titanium Sakra (Hal Belote) drops down in price and leaves from the second tier. The other starters are Arty Foster, Jr.’s Stormy Albert (Steve Warrington), Magnum Horse Venture’s Falcon’s Pharoah (Brad Hanners), Distant Game (Sean Bier) racing for Wayne Pryor, John Gearhart and Wendy Crissman, and Rodney Long’s Watch Hill (Vic Kirby).
In the other $30,000 claimer, Generous GB (Kenny Mitchell) makes his first appearance for Rodney Mitchell after being claimed last week after winning his second straight. El Lobo LLC’s Painted Arrow (Brad Hanners) appears to be returning to form. Alton Lynch, Sr.’s We’reanamericanpan (George Dennis) drops in price and drew the rail.
The rest of the field is made up by Gary Wolf’s Draw Me Bye (Sean Bier), Winston Williams’ steady Space Racer (Billy Mann), Tug River Jim (Hal Belote) racing for Wilson and David Clark, The Devil Himself (Brad Hanners), owned by Todd Wise and Jeff Franklin, Tex Services’ Jacks Folly A (Ross Wolfenden) and Sandra and Wayne King’s Impact Player N (Mike Cole).
The longest win streak at the track is on the line in the $12,500 Delaware claiming pace, where Trish Bichler’s Evere’s Connection seeks a seventh straight win.
Monday through Thursday racing at Dover starts at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. There is no racing at Dover on Fridays. Parking and admission are free. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.