DOVER, Del. —- Harness racing driver Tony Morgan moved two steps closer to 15,000 wins driving Middle Aged Crazy to victory in the Dover Downs, Tuesday, March 10 feature race.
Earlier Morgan drove Courser Hanover to victory in 1:55.3 to win a Delaware $5,000 Male Claiming pace. In the feature, Morgan had just enough driving Middle Aged Crazy to move along the passing lane and catch Just Bettor (Vic Kirby) in the final step. Tim Mumford owns the Yankee Skyscraper – Valley Amelia gelding trained by Shane Long who won for the second time this year. LA Camcharger (Vic Copeland) got up for third in the photo.
Jingle Bell Rocker, who was unbeaten from the Christmas Holiday season until early February, got back on the winning track as Trace Tetrick drove the Les Givens-conditioned Rocknroll Hanover – Blissard Of Oz gelding, owned by Tina Clark, to his 13th lifetime win, a 1:53.1 victory in a Delaware $7,500 Male Claiming pace.
Tony Morgan, Trace Tetrick, George Dennis and trainer Kathleen Brewer had two wins each.
SEVRUGA JOINS $18,000 OPEN/HANDICAP TROT WEDNESDAY
Sevruga, one of North America’s top trotters in recent years, makes his first start of the season in the $18,000 Open/Handicap trot on Wednesday, March 11 at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m. Ragazzo Dolce seeks fifth straight on under-card.
Andy Miller will drive the veteran $1-million winner Sevruga in this week’s feature. JP racing owns the seven-year-old gelding who qualified twice on off -tracks at the Meadowlands. Last Wednesday’s winner J.L.Sadowski’s Tag Up And Go, with Trace Tetrick driving, has already post four wins in 2015. Mike Casalino’s Tough Mac, driven by meet leader Corey Callahan, is one of the winningest horses at the track with six wins, including three of his last five starts. Steve Moss, the Solomons and trainer Leigh Raymer’s Tirade Hanover, handled by Vic Kirby, has a couple of wins, two seconds and has been in the money in all his local starts.
One of the most consistent top class trotters this meet is Tina Clark and Joe Clark’s Baximum with Allan Davis driving. Powerful Charger, owned by trainer Jim King and driver Tim Tetrick, has won two of his previous three starts. Jenny Melander’s Wisenheimer and Montrell Teague and Jane Dunavant’s Apparition, who leaves from the rail, with Carlo Poliseno, complete the field of eight.
Mike Casalino and Dylan Davis’ Ragazzo Dolche (Davis) seeks a fifth win-in-a-row in a $14,000 4&5-Year-Old Winners-Over trot. Two other starters are also riding win streaks. Rosemary Smutz’ Man Of Muscle (George Dennis) has a four win skein going and Leigh Raymer’s Someway Same Hall (Kirby) has won two in-a-row. Two fast mares lead the opposition, Bill Cantrell’s Classic Belisima (Callahan), and Eric Foster’s Stirling Charisma (Trace Tetrick).
Joyeux Dream (Pierce), a six time winner this year, is the one to beat in a $15,000-$20,000 Claiming/Handicap trot.
Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are "dark" days. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.
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 the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad