by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — A pair of events for young horses — a $14,000 and $12,000 pace — and a $25,000 claiming allowance top the Sunday, January 2 racing at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m. Sharp Oliver Twist N, owned by Lorie and Paul Davis, fresh from a wire-to-wire 1:55.1 win last time out, heads a strong field of nine pacers racing for a $14,000 purse in the top feature event. Steve Warrington drives the New Zealand-bred gelding facing the likes of Parker Callahan’s Beware Beret with Ross Wolfenden, Max Walton’s Clean Sweep, reined by Daryl Bier, Brooks Stables’ Allamerican Knight, reined by Kevin Sizer, and Country Girl Stables’ Magic Force, piloted by Mike Cole. Other contenders are Fred and Anita Fialkow and Ron Pilatsky’s Hewillbeastar, handled by Kevin Lare, Peter George’s Hy Commissioner A with Jim Morand, Macbest N, with George Brennan driving for John Veazey and Jeff Fuller and Eleanor Davis’ Mackie Boy, Eddie Davis, Jr. in the bike. John Hynansky and Brooks Stables’ Getaway Hall (Kevin Sizer) drew post eight while WJ McDougal Racing’s Youmustbekidding and Greg Barone’s El Gees Mr Q (Brad Hanners) start from inside posts in a $12,000 Delaware pace. Pearl Kirby’s Pegasus Osborne (Vic Kirby), Golfman (Tim Curtin), owned by Todd Wise and Jeff Franklin and John Frazer’s Atenothnbutdscootr (Leah Vandervort) lead the opposition. Alton Lynch, Sr.’s White House Guest (George Dennis) and Griffin Conley’s C’mon C’mon C’mon (Ross Wolfenden) have upset credentials. Red Cloud Rising N (Eddie Davis) steps up a notch after a 1:55 win last time for Ken Mitchell and Freida Ivory in a $25,000 claiming allowance. Armature Hanover (Ross Wolfenden) makes his first start for Country Girl Stables after being claimed after a 1:54 victory. Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Ruthless Victor N (Brad Hanners) leaves from the rail in the nine horse field. Weekend racing at Dover begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No racing on Fridays. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.