DOVER, Del. ,Elliesjet N keeps a perfect eight-for-eight record while Jerseylicious returned to the track to win the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap to highlight harness racing on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Dover Downs.
Since her first race after traversing the Pacific in early Fall, Elliesjet has yet to be passed after taking the lead en route to eight consecutive victories in the U.S.A. Art Stafford Jr. has been in the bike in each of her races. Josh Parker conditions the Jereme's Jet-Ella Mary Rose black mare for himself, partners, B.Spedden, K.Evans and Nanticoke Racing. Stafford ushered Elliesjay N quickly away from post 7 in a 9-horse field and quickly assumed the front and kept a near-2-length lead until deep stretch when American Truth (Tony Morgan) stalking second, pulled out to challenge but could not get closer than a length at the finish of 1:52.4 mile. FashionRocker (George Dennis) got third money.
While Elliesjet N is now unbeaten in eight straight starts earning $52,750 in purses, prior to coming to Delaware, she had a record of 1-win.4-seconds and 4-thirds while racing in early 2015 in New Zealand.
Meanwhile in the Wednesday feature race, piloted by Alan Davis, Jerseylicious enjoyed a 2-hole trip behind Shine N Shimmer (Corey Callahan), who cut out the fractions until late in the 1:52.3 mile. Davis pulled the Western Ideal-Jet Lag N five-year-old brown mare to the outside as the field turned down the stretch and Jerseylicious wore down Shine N Shimmer in the closing strides for her fourth win of the season elongating her career bankroll to $646,630 for owners Niel Gargiulo, Pam Curran and Legacy Racing. Double Joy (Jim Morand) got up for third.
Davis also guided Trine Hanover to a late-dash 1:53.1 victory in a $12,500 Filly and Mare pace, the second win in-a-row for The Panderosa-Transfer Hanover five-year-old. Mike West and trainer Jason Johnson own the winner who overtook No Respect (Vic Kirby) the early pace setter.
Northern Beauty and Brett Miller recorded a 1:54.3 triumph to win a $13,500 3,4&5-Year-Old pace for trainer Jenny Melander and owners, ,Shehan,.A.Stephens and the D. and J. Thompsons. Electric Z Tam (A.Davis) was runner-up.
Allan Davis finished the card with four wins, Corey Callahan and Brett Miller made the winner's circle twice.
The rest of this week, there is no live racing at Dover Downs until Sunday, Jan. 3 with a 5:30 p.m. post time, when harness action resumes on the first Sunday of racing in January and February. Monday through Thursday weekday racing begins at p.m. 4:30 p.m.
When at Dover Downs, watch the 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.
Until Sunday, Dover Downs horsemen and management wishes you, a Happy New Year 2016!
Marv Bachrad