DOVER, Del. — Paradise Lost, overlooked at 34-1 after a victory last Tuesday, stormed from far back to win the $21,000 Mares Open Handicap in 1:52.1 on a longshot filled Tuesday, Dec.15th harness racing card at Dover Downs. Elliesjet N wins seventh straight. Red hot Allan Davis had a driving 'grand slam.'
While Fashion Showdown (Ross Wolfenden) and Double Joy (Jim Morand) were battling on the front, Montrell Teague edged out from the back with Paradise Lost. On the final turn, still far behind, Teague moved the Artsplace-Loving Ideal eight-year-old into high gear and she rolled on to overtake the leaders and beat Montenegro (Brett Miller) to the wire for her fifth victory of the year. So in her return to top form after an injury last Spring, owner, trainer Bob Winkelman has nursed Paradise Lost back for five wins and $48,562 earnings this year and a $331,523 lifetime winner,
Elliesjet N made her first start on this side of the Pacific a winning one on Oct. 13 a t Harrington Raceway, and in the six that followed including a 1:52.4 wire-to-wire victory in one of two $15,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Filly and Mare paces. Art Stafford Jr. drove the five-year-old black Jereme's Jet-Elle Mary Rose mare holding off a strong challenge from Girlofyourdreams, second the entire route, with a :27.2 final panelIn all seven of her U.S. starts she has had the lead after all quarters. Spedden, Evans, Nanticoke Racing and trainer Josh Parker own the winner of $36,750 since arriving. Who Dat Heather (Allan Davis) finished third.
In the other $15,000 division. George Dennis piloted Fashion Rocker to victory in 1:53.2 For Blake Baker and Leah Messick, it was the sixth win of 2015 for the Rocknroll Hanover-Show Off three-year-old. Mildred's Button was runner-up with Freeding Frenzy (John MacKinnon) third.
Allan Davis led the drivers with four wins. George Dennis has three, Tony Morgan, Corey Callahan, trainer Darrell Lewis and owner Leah Messick had doubles.
WAR CRY HALL SEEKS SECOND STRAIGHT $20,000 DOVER OPEN TROT
War Cry Hall held off fast-finishing Ashes Cash to win last week’s $20,000 Open Handicap trot and both return in a strong field of eight in the Wednesday, Dec. 16 feature at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
Ross Wolfenden drove 12-time winner this year, War Cry Hall, trained by Jim King, for owner RBH Ventures. Ashes Cash with Vic Kirby has been razor sharp. The Leigh Raymer owned and trained gelding has three wins, a second and two thirds in his last six races. Hemi Seelster came from far back for Brett Miller to take third for Carl Atley, Bob LeBlanc and Rich Lombardo.
Again this week, Corey Callahan will drive Mike Casalino’s highly regarded Tough Mac from the outside post 8. Five Towns owned by LA Express Stable, has been racing well lately and will be driven by George Dennis. Callam Racing’s consistent Spunky Jack and Roger Plante cannot be overlooked leaving from the rail. David Miller’s Cash On Delivery with Vince Copeland and Razor Ramone, owned by Steve Iaquinta and Bill Dittmar make his first start of the meet with Allan Davis in the sulky.
A $15,000 3,4&5-Year-Old trot is the sub-feature. Bob Shahan owned and trained Machuca (Allan Davis) is the lone winner last time among nine starters. Max Walton’s Someway Same Hall (Art Stafford Jr.) and Myclaimtovictory (Kim Vincent) finished second and third in that race. Drinksforthehouse (Corey Callahan), one of three sophomores in the field, was second last week and starts from post 9 in the second tier.
Gregg and Tom Morris’ Juanna Be The Man (Plante), Gary Simpson and Eric Good’s Adrenalin Junkie (Jim Morand), Emily Carrow’s Color Me Royal (Tyler Davis) and John and Sarah Swart’s Power Wheel (Vince Copeland) complete the lineup.
After Thursday, the traditional Christmas Break Week gives horsemen a reprieve from racing, Dec. 18 through Dec. 27.
Racing will resume on Monday, Dec. 28, Tuesday, the 29th and Wednesday, Dec. 30, post time is 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs will not race on Thursday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve day.
Starting In January and February the track will also race on Sundays, for five days a week, starting on Sunday, Jan. 3.
Marv Bachrad