DOVER, Del.— The photo-finish camera was needed to determine Purrfect Bags (1:52.2) winner of the harness racing $20,000 Filly and Mare Open pace on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Dover Downs.
After 28-1 shot Elliesjet N (Jonathan Roberts) flew away from the gate to take the lead and continued to lead seven rivals until mid-stretch when both Purrfect Bags (Victor Kirby) and Empress Deo (Allan Davis) zoomed down the lane side-by-side until Purrfect Bags pocked her nose in front at the wire to determine the outcome of the week's top distaff event.
The Purrfect Bags victory, her 9th of the season in 19 starts with 3 seconds and 3 thirds, for owner JoAnn Looney-King, avenged an odds-on favorite loss last week. Tim Tetrick drove the Roddy's Bags Again-Purrfectly Bad four-year-old conditioned by meet leading trainer Jim King. She has now won $129,195 this year and $499,542 lifetime. Empress Deo and Elliesjet N were noses apart in second and third place.
In a pair of $15,500 sub female sub-features, Enhance Your Mind got up for driver Kirby, the current meet leader, and owner-trainer Bryan Truitt in 1:52 in the first of the Winners-Over 3,4&5-Year-Old pace with Terror At Night (Jim Morand) and Arts Jem (Tetrick) right behind. The other section went to David Banks and Layfield Horses' Salulita in 1:52.4. Tony Morgan drove the Somebeachsomewhere-Fresh Idea 3-year-old to her sixth win of the year coming from off the pace. Janie Bay (Gingras) was second. Dublin Rose (Corey Callahan) finished third.
Vic Kirby and Yannick Gingras had a trio of wins, while Vince Copeland and Ross Wolfenden, had two winners each.
STRONG FIELDS IN $20,000 OPEN, TWO $15,500 TROTS TOP WEDNESDAY
Joe and Laurie Davino’s Take My Picture a sharp $1-million winner drew inside post 2 in the $20,000 Open/Handicap trot the Wednesday, Nov. 30 feature race. Muscerene was an impressive winner last week.
The Berrys, trainer Traci and driver Pat Berry, have had recent success with consistant trottter Glenferrie Dreamer owned by JCraparotta&PBerry Stables. Callam Stable’s Spunky Jack and Roger Plante can never be overlooked. Tag Up And Go with Tony Morgan will be tough starting from the rail.David Miller’s War Cry Hall has been a consistant top class regular the last two seasons. Two horses with outside post can not be overlooked, Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis Theresademoninme, handled by Jonathan Roberts and from the outside, CC Racing’s Il Mago with Tim Tetrick at the controls.
Two $15,500 Winners-Over trots head the undercard. Uva Hanover (Morgan), fresh from a win last time.Ken Wood, Bill Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms’ Celebrity Pegasus (Art Stafford Jr.), Frost Free Hanover, Go Byem, I Like My Boss, Steel Reserve and Arnold, all have winning credentials in one division while Nebraska Jack (Berry), Gillie The Kid (Tetrick) and Royal Becca J (Jack Parker) head the other section.
Weekday post time for Monday through Thursday racing is 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are dark days. Parking and admission are free. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant acclaimed Buffet and for the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad