DOVER, Del. — Major Uptrend scored in 1:49 to win the $27,500 Preferred-Open feature at Dover Downs. Harness racing trainer Tim Crissman posted three wins including his 1,500th Tony Morgan drove four winners, two for owners Ness Allen on Thursday (2/15).
For the second straight week, Major Uptrend, piloted by Tony Morgan, recorded a sub-150 victory, this time in 1:49 following last Thursday's 1:49.4 success, both wire-to-wire. The fast Sicily and Montrell Teague sat second the entire mile and could come no closer than three-quarters of a length at the final wire. Highalator, the only four-year-old in the select field, with Roger Plante Jr. in the bike, came on to finish third
Major Uptrend's win was the second in three 2018 starts for the Somebeachsomewhere-Tricky Tooshie gelding who now has three sub-1:50 triumphs at Dover for owners Crissman and Ness Allen. Tony Morgan
One race earlier, Morgan guided another Tim Crissman trainee, Mildred Ventriglio's Kid PK to a 1:50.3 triumph in a $14,000 Winners-Over pace. The Wearable Art-Lightning D Dube gelding made it four wins in his last five races. Star Messenger (Art Stafford Jr.) was runner-up with Gerries Sport (Tim Tetrick) third.
Morgan also drove Niss Allen's 7-1 Mississippi Rabbit, a Richess Hanover-Dixie Darlin gelding, along the passing lane to catch Cash Is King (Corey Callahan) in the final stride for a 1:52 victory going for $18,000 in a Winners pace. Rock The Town (Tetrick) took show honors.
Air Strike, an altered son of Always A Virgin-My Best Girl, got up for Corey Callahan in a $15,000 Winners event for trainer Joe Holloway and owners Ted Gewertz and Val D'Or Farms. American Sportsman (Mike Cole) and James Isaac (Morgan) finished second and third respectively.
Morgan had four winning drives, Tim Crissman conditioned three of them, two for owners Niss Allen and Crissman Inc. Tim Tetrick and Corey Callahan had driving doubles.
Live racing is featured Monday through Thursday weekly with a 4: 30 p.m. post time. No live racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
A changing menu of fine foods is available to diners watching the races from the acclaimed Winner's Circle Restaurant Buffet. Call 302-674-4600 for reservations.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred races continue each day from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight in the Dover Downs Race and Sports Book.
Marv Bachrad