by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Litigator, Go Nano Go and Laser Lavec came through with wins in the three top trots of the week, racing over a sloppy track on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Dover Downs. For the second straight day, Tim Tetrick made the winner’s circle four times.

Litigator (Tetrick) raced head-to-head with the sharp Grand Photo (Bob Shahan) in the $25,000 winners over trot, battling along the backstretch before Tetrick urged Litigator into the lead on the final turn and then pulled away for a 1:57.1 victory on the “off track.” Breeze Hill Will came on for Corey Callahan to edge Grand Photo for place position, ending a two-race win streak for the son of S J’s Photo. The win was the second in five starts for Litigator, an altered son of Valley Victor owned by Parent Racing and Crystal Ball Stables.

In the first of two $19,000 trots, Go Nano Go and Eddie Davis, Jr. rushed down the passing lane to catch Put Them On Hold (Jason Lynch) in the closing strides for a 1:57.3 victory. Passito (Tim Tetrick) came on strongly to finish third. The win was the first of the year for the Balanced Image gelding owned by J&E Stable and lifted his 2008 bankroll to $22,210 and his career earnings to $208,525.

Mike Casalino’s Laser Lavec splashed into the lead early in a second $19,000 conditioned trot and George Dennis never looked back in a 1:59.1 victory. Rambo Kandu (Mike Cole) was second with Star Swagger (Roger Plante) coming on to pick up show money.

$16,000 male pace is the Thursday feature

A $16,000 4- and 5-year-old male pace heads the Thursday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day card at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.

Six of the eight starters in the pace are 4-year-olds, but a 5-year-old, David and Linda Oliver’s Celii N, was the lone winner last time out when the Badlands Hanover gelding scored a 1:53.4 victory. Frank Milby will drive.

Rich Esham and trainer-driver Bryan Truitt’s Stacy’s Character finished second in his last two outings. Vincent Bradley Stable’s Fifth Wave has a win, two seconds and a third in his previous four starts with George Dennis driving.

Gateway Stable’s Reverse The Curse and Jonathan Roberts drew the rail with the other 5-year-old, Cathedral Grove with Corey Callahan, alongside. Mike Cole will drive Tufsun Beach for Foulk Stables.

The other starters are Neil Chesen’s Monbak with Tim Curtin and Roam’n At Cooly’s Stables’ NF Rivers Edge, piloted by track leading driver Tony Morgan.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.