Rockeyed Optimist, a 1:49.4 winner in the $36,000 Preferred and Blazing Bobby Sox in 1:51.2 taking the $33,000 Delaware Special were impressive on a windy Monday romping in twin harness racing features on March 21 at Dover Downs.
For the fourth consecutive time, Rockeyed Optimist, piloted by Tim Tetrick, proved a powerful winner of the week's top pace for the Steve Elliott Stable and owners Perretti, Berkner, Battaglia and A&B Stables. The five-year-old Rocknroll Hanover-Art Amour gelding, took the lead early and shook off a determined bid from the Vic Kirby-driven Dapper Due on the backstretch before pulling away to his fourth win of the year in five starts with one second. The pacer raised his seasonal earnings to $57,250. He has won 19-times in his career good for a $327,795 bankroll. For the second straight start Bettor's Edge with Yannick Gingras finished second to Rockeyed Optimist. Dapper Dude was third. Abelard Hanover was scratched making it a five-horse field.
In the $33,000 Delaware Special, late developing Blazing Bobby Sox and Art Stafford Jr. came out of the pack in mid-stretch to overtake front-pacing Art Mustang and hang up a 1:51.2 victory, his fifth of the year with two seconds in 11 starts. The Panderosa-Liamatters gelding has now won $59,015 in 2016 to up his lifetime total earnings to three digits, $107,098. Mustang Art, as usual took the early lead for Sean Bier, and finished second with Papa Ray and Allan Davis, third.
On a power-packed undercard, New Zealand import Go Collect N, steered by Corey Callahan, won for the fifth time this year, third in a row at Dover, notching a 1:52.2 decision in an $18,500 4&5-Year-Old Male pace. Dylan Davis conditioned the Gotta Go Cullet-No Parking N gelding owned by Robert Cooper and J&T Silva stables.
Quick Shot (Ross Wolfenden) closed well to finish second in from of Sectionline Rock (Tetrick), third.
Smart Rokker, an altered son of Rocknroll Hanover-Sass Newton, made it two-ins-row for owners Peter Venturini, Peter Venturini III and trainer Brian Malone scoring a 1:51win in a $17,000 Winners-Over Male pace. Itrustyou (Gingras) was runner-up. Adventure Bound (A.Stafford Jr.) was the show horse. The win was the fifth in 2016 in 11 starts. The gelding has won $35,185 this year and $160,335 lifetime.
In the first of two $16,000 paces, Sentencing Memo, the only sophomore in the lineup among seasoned 4- and 5-year-olds came through again for young driver Russ Foster and his grandfather owner-trainer Arty Foster to score his second straight victory in a $16,000 pace for young horses, and his sixth this season in eight outings, a front-pacing 1:53.3 triumph.
The other $16,000 event went to Frank Chick's fast-finishing CS Eye, a 1:53.2 winner for George Dennis and trainer Kevin Lare. The gelding is by Skydance Hanover-Crime Scene and made the winner's circle for the first time this year. Tip It On Back (Bret Brittingham) was a game second. Muscles N Swag (Tony Morgan) was the show finisher.
Stake winner Sonofa Sizzle won his second in three starts fashioning a 1:53 victory for trainer Josh Green and owner Mike White A four-year-old by Life Sizzles-JK Lady Like, it was his 12th win in 24 starts. Jetski Louie (Gingras) and Rocknroll Power (Tetrick) were second and third respectively.
Corey Callahan, Tim Tetrick, Tony Morgan, George Dennis and trainer Brian Malone won two races each.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs is dark on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
When at the track, watch live 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.
Marv Bachrad