Tim Tetrick shot War Cry Hall up the backstretch to pass race favorite Tough Mac on the way to the final turn and then scooted to a 1:54.3 harness racing victory in the $20,000 Open Handicap trot on Wednesday, Feb.17 at Dover Downs.
Former track dash-win champion Tetrick fought off a strong challenge in the stretch led by Bluebird Reverence (Montrell Teague) who was four-wide at the head of the lane. Nearing the wire, Bluebird Reverence went off-stride, and was placed from second to fourth due to his lapped-on break. Panamanian Hanover (Tony Morgan) finished third but was placed second and Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), fourth was placed third.
War Cry Hall is owned by RBH Ventures and is conditioned by Jim King, currently second in the track trainer standings. The Cash Hall-Winners Only gelding won the week’s top trot for the second straight time. He has 29 career wins good for a $499,250 lifetime bankroll.
Inner Peace with Pat Berry chopped down Royal Becca J (Jack Parker Jr.) in deep stretch for a 1;55.1 lifetime best win In a $15,500 4&5-Year-Old trot. J Craparotta and P Berry Racing own the Crazed-Peace Of Mind five-year-old gelding. Royal Becca J was second with Royal Status (Kirby) third.
On the trotter dominated undercard, Tony Morgan drove Winemaster Hanover to his third win of 2016 in 1:54.3 clocking in a $12,500 trot, It was the Donato Hanover-Wishful Me gelding’s 19th lifetime success and trainer Scott DiDomenico’s second win of the day. Jay Spector, Dan Kiwak and Triple D Stable are the six-year-old’s owners. The win was a double for the driver, trainer and owner Triple D Stable. Awsome Valley (Teague) and Enrico AS (Vic Kirby) were second and third respectively.
In $12,000 trots, LA Express Stable’s Five Towns made it two-in-a-row with Corey Callahan in the bike for a 1:54 victory. Run And Tell Pap (Jonathan Roberts) was next in front of Brew Master (Kirby) whose two-race win streak ended.
Trainer-driver Jeff Long pulled Tidquist out of eighth heading to the three quarters and then circled the field to pull away for a 1:56.4 triumph in a $12,000 4&5-Year-Old trot. Long also owns the Conway Hall-Appomattox Lady gelding with Jay Buettner and Sam Gottlieb. PL Income (Tetrick) apparently alone in the stretch had to settle for second. Lucky Ten K (Eddie Dennis) was third.
Vic Kirby, Tony Morgan, Tim Tetrick. Jim Morand, trainer Scott DiDomenico and owner Triple D Stables had two wins each.
CHARGER WORKING ON THIRD STRAIGHT IN THURSDAY FEATURE
Charger fresh from consecutive wins drew post 1 in the Thursday, Feb. 18 feature race at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
The 11-year-old Charger seeks his third straight and 51st lifetime win with Ross Wolfenden driving for owner-trainer Ron Short. Shellysblockburster, driven by George Dennis driving for Don Reed and trainer George Wagner, should enjoy starting from an inside post as would Jane Ramsey's Delaware Hanover and Frank Milby, who finally gets an inside post this year.
PT Stable's veteran Summer Camp gets the services of meet leading driver Corey Callahan. Race Me Villa, owned by Kathleen Mofield, John Dickens and KDK Standardbreds, was a game second last week beaten by a nose. Portrait, owned by driver Art Stafford and trainer Andrew Stafford, is a strong closer while Arty Foster's Rockin Rambaran (Allan Davis), who starts from outside post 8, is another who can close with a rush.
There is no live racing on Friday and Saturday.
This is next-to-last Sunday of racing this season. Post time is resumes at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; post time is 4:30 p.m.
By popular demand the Winner's Circle Buffet is now back in the Winner's Circle Restaurant. Call for reservations 302-674-4600.
There is no charge for parking and admission at Dover Downs. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasts is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad