Chipoffthewall won his sixth straight over an unbeaten 2016 start to dominate his second straight prelim win scoring a 1:57.2 harness racing victory in his $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 2nd leg 3-year-old male trot division on Monday, April 4 at Dover Downs. In the second division, Mondello notched a 1:58.2 triumph.
Tony Morgan took the alter son of Master Lavec-Off The Wall, Chipoffthewall, right to the lead and the prohibitive favorite led the rest of the mile for his eighth career victory in 13 wstarts lifting his lifetime earnings to $121,440 for trainer-leessee Syl King. Overnight Shipper (George Dennis) finished second with Popcorn Machine (Jim Morand) third.
Art Stafford Jr. sat second with Mondello behind leader Seafood Scrappy (Ross Wolfenden) before moving out and into the lead in deep stretch for a 1:58.2 win in his $20,000 DSBFprelim. Daryl Glazer trains the Taladega-St. Patty's Paige colt for breeder-owner Chis Yochim. Samuel J (Vic Kirby) was third.
DSBF 2nd leg events are set for the rest of this week, featuring filly pacers on Tuesday, filly trotters, Wednesday and male pacers this Thursday. The top 8 point-getters in each division return for $100,000 finals next week of the meet, April 7-14.
On the strong regular program, Atta Boy Dan and pilot Andrew McCarthy recorded his third consecutive $36,000 Open Preferred pace victory in 1:51.1 as the track condition changed to good for the feature race. Atta Boy Dan left to get the lead from Bushwacker (Corey Callahan) early and proved the best from there with Smart Rokker (Morgan) coming out at the three quarters to challenge and remain second. Bushwacker was third. Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing own to Western Terror-Dropllikeitshot gelding who won for the fourth time in nine races this year banking $$90,600 for the 41-time career winner.
Frank Chick's New Patrol took the lead and maintained command for a 1:52.1 score in an $18,500 4&5-Year- Old Male pace. The Armbro Deuce-Triple Flip Kevin Lare-trainee won for the second straight time and fourth in his last six. A 99-1 shot Skyway Gladiator (Mile Rossi) closed along the passing lane to nip Go Collect N (Callahan), who had won four-in-a-row, for second.
In another $18,500 division, a Kevin Lare trained for Frank Chick contender won the first of two for the pair as George Dennis guided Warp Factor Three, an altered son of Mach Three-A And G's Dream, to a 1:52.1 success. Suchasenseofhumor (Morgan) and Baby Kitty (Callahan) were second and third respectively.
Apple Bottom Jeans leads the DSBF $20,000 2nd leg prelims on the Tuesday card which also features a $24,000 Mares Open pace.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs is dark on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Closing day is April 14.
Watch live races and enjoy dining in the Winners Circle Restaurant's acclaimed Harness Racing Buffet. 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