Atta Boy Dan on the inside and Phil Your Boots on the outside wagered a side-by-side battle the length of the stretch before harness racing driver Andrew McCarthy got Atta Boy Dan’s nose first to the finish line in 1:50.to win the $36,000 Preferred/Handicap pace on the big Monday, March 7 card at Dover Downs.
After twice being handicapped to post 8, Atta Boy Dan finally had a better post position starting from number 3 in the week’s top pace. The Ron Burke trained Western Terror-Dropitlikeitshot gelding responded with his second win in six starts this season for Weaver Brucsemi and Burke Racing Stable. Phil The Boots, steered by Tim Tetrick was a game second for the second consecutive start losing by a nose in the Yonkers feature a week ago. Phil Your Boots is also from the same barn as last week’s winner Lucan Hanover, trained by Andrew Harris. Third place in this week’s feature belongs to the Tony Morgan driven good closer, Doctor Butch. Sean Bier Mustang Art steamed from the outside to take the early lead and set fast fraction before Atta Boy Dan finally took the lead on the final turn.
In the last of 15 races, 13-1 Casey At Bat never got a call until late in the stretch when Allan Davis got him off the rail fifth and closed with a rush nearing the wire in time to catch apparent winner Apollo Seelster (Tetrick) in the finals strides for a 1:53.1 win in a $18,500 4&5-Year-Old Male Winners pace. Skyway Gladiator (Mike Rossi) finished third.
Soto found the passing lane to his liking to catch front-pacing favorite Just A Jolt (Tetrick) at the wire in 1:51 for his second straight victory and third in four and fourth in six starts for trainer Eric Ell and ‘Big Three’ owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta. A brown four-year-old by Rock N Roll Heaven-Incredible Beauty, Soto won for the fifth time this year in eight starts with a second for $38,875 and $151145 lifetime. Sicily (Allan Davis) took third money,
Swapportunity finally broke through consecutive seconds to score a 1:52.1 triumph in a $16,000 race for young pacers with Jim Morand winning of his two decisions. The Mach Three-Swap Blue Chip four-year-old gelding held off a fast finishing Grantland (McCarthy) in a photo. Owned by Arlene Paisley, Ed Maas and Nanticoke racing, the former Woodbine Raceway regular made the winner’s circle for the first time in 2016. Big Secret (Jonathan Roberts) was the show finisher.
Tim Tetrick scored a four-bagger. George Dennis had a triple. Montrell Teague and Tony Morgan had two wins while trainer Kevin Switzer, Dylan Davis and Brian Malone had trainer doubles and owner KDK Standardbreds had a owner double.
FASHION SHOWDOWN GOES FOR THIRD STRAIGHT IN $20,000 MARES OPEN
Fashion Showdown, a winner of two-in-a-row, is the one to catch in the $24,000 Mares Open Handicap faces seven rivals on Tuesday, March 8 at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p m.
Chris White's Fashion Showdown has been an impressive winner of the last two female Opens. This week, in the absence of Corey Callahan, Allan Davis will be at the controls for trainer Craig McInnis. Owner-trainer Bob Bailey's Duneside Chella with driver Tony Morgan has been in the money with two wins, two seconds and two thirds in his last six starts. Jeff Clark's Springforth piloted by George Dennis, has been right there in recent starts with a win, three seconds and a third is another starter with a standout record and has not been off the board in her last eight starts.
Scandalicious, owned by JFE Enterprises, with Tim Tetrick in the bike, finished a good-closing second last time following a win the week before, starts from post 4 this time, and improvement from outside posts. John McGill's No Respect draws the rail with Ross Wolfenden driving. Returning following a short respite is The Cheyenne Gang's fast Cheyenne Robin with Jim Morand holding the rains. Thus far in 2016, the only four-year-old in the lineup has already had two wins, a second and close-up fourth in her first starts of the New Year. Lou Catana and Vince Bradley's Matinee Dragon and Jonathan Roberts also has an excellent record this meet.
There is a strong undercard on a top female pacing loaded 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