Sage N, winner of the last two $24,000 Mares Opens, major stakes winner Sassa Hanover who returns after a two-week absence, and the sharp Fashion Showdown, tangle in this week's top mares showdown while three $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 1st leg 3-Year-Old preliminaries combine to highlight a strong Tuesday, March 29 harness racing program at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p m.
In the $24,000 Mares Open/Handicap pace, Sage N looks for a third consecutive victory with Tim Tetrick driving , but must start from outside post 8 for trainer Scott DiDomenico and owners Charles Iannazzo, JFE Enterprises and Triple D Stables. The veteran pacer won both her last two wins starting from the rail. Chris White's steady Fashion Showdown, second for Corey Callahan, a week ago and Legacy Racing's Empress Deo with Allan Davis was a close third and second before that.
Sassy Hanover, who made her four-year-old debut two weeks ago, but spent most of the mile catching the fresh Dover air racing on the outside, is back. Ross Wolfenden will drive the $1-million winning mare. Not to be overlooked is Jeff Clark's impressive five-year-old Springforth, a strong closer. Bob Winkelman's Paradise Lost won last week and steps up with Vic Kirby driving from the rail. The rest of the hard-hitting field is made up by Matinee Dragon, owned by Lou Catana and Vince Bradley, driven by Montrell Teague and the sharp Quotable Quotes with Tony Morgan driving for owners Chris Sharpe and Alex Hawes.
The winner of last November's DSBF $100,000 Two-Year-Old Final, KDK Standardbreds' Apple Bottom Jeans (Teague) drew the rail and is the program favorite in the first DSBF $20,000 preliminary.
In the second division, Della Donne (Callahan), named for the WNBA basketball star from Delaware, has won three-in-a-row for Brit Evans, Tina Clark and Foulk Stables, and is the one to beat.
JoAnn Looney-King's Cougar Creek (Kirby), Carty Racing's Fiftyshadesofrusty (George Dennis) duke it out in the third $20,000 prelim.
On a top distaff undercard are an $18,500, a $16,000, a $14,000 and a $13,700 pace are on the 15-race card.
Dover Downs races Monday through Thursday starting at 4:30 p.m. No Live racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Watch the races and enjoy dining in the Winners Circle Restaurant. Call 302-674-4600 for reservations.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight at Dover Downs where there is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad