Give Sage N the rail and Tim Tetrick driving and that's all you need as the harness racing combination worked for the second consecutive week in the $24,000 Mares Open pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday, March 23. George Dennis had a four bagger.
Tetrick took command after a :55.3 opening half mile and was on the way for Sage N's fourth win of the year with a new mark of 1:50.4. Scott DiDomenico trains the six-year-old Christian Cullen-Smart Decision New Zealand-bred mare who has won half of her eight seasonal starts for $43,450 and now has won 10 times in her career for $90,147. Fashion Showdown and Corey Callahan raced gamely to finish second besting Empress Deo and Allan Davis by a neck.
A 9-1 shot Foulk Stable's Marigold Bloom, a daughter of Artistic Fella-Classic Move, pulled a mild surprise in the $18,500 4&5-Year-Old Mares pace, one of George Dennis' four driving wins. Caviart Cari Ann (Vic Kirby) was second. Race favorite Nice Trip (A.Davis) took third.
Another winning combo at the track is driver Andrew McCarty, trainer Jason Skinner and Only Money Inc.'s Truth And Liberty who have clicked for three straight wins. The latest was in a $16,500 Filly and Mares 1:52.3 pace, a lifetime best for the Total Truth-Jazzy Hall four-year-old. Westluckycam (Callahan) and Eternal Sunrise (Dennis) were second and third respectively.
Veteran Paradise Lost and Corey Callahan featured a driving finish to win a $14,500 Mares pace. The win was the 31st for the nine-year-old Artsplace-Loving Ideal mare who now boasts an earnings bankroll of $351,253. Bob Winklelman owns and trains Paradise Lost. Jerseylicious (A.Davis) led through the early stages and hung on for second. Greatdayforamerica (Montrell Teague) was the third-place finisher.
George Dennis led all drivers with four wins. Tim Tetrick and Corey Callahan had doubles.
BLUEBIRD REVEREND, AWSOME VALLEY LEAD NINE IN $17,500 TROT
Indiana stakes winner Bluebird Reverend, Awsome Valley and Cash On Delivery, all recent winners, lead a strong group of veteran trotters into the Wednesday, March 23 feature at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
A two-time Open winner, Bluebird Reverend owned by trainer Bob Reeser, Denise Dennis, Jay Johannsen and Holly Case will be driven by Montrell Teague, and is program favorite in the field of nine. Frank Chick’s Awsome Valley reined by Tony Morgan drew the rail. Mike Casalino’s Tough Mac, gets regular driver Corey Callahan back and will leave from post 9 in the second tier. Ca;;a, Racing’s Spunky Jack is usually close in his efforts including four second-place finishes and is piloted by Roger Plante.
Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms’ Celebrity Pegasus and Allan Davis have been disappointing recently breaking stride when favorite in his last three outings. David Miller’s Cash On Delivery with Vince Copeland, on the other hand as been very consistent with two wins in his last three races. Bob Shahan and Don Marine’s Six Gun Hall steered by George Dennis drops down a notch in class. Tim Tetrick will drive LA Express Stable’s Five Towns while Winemaster, owned, trained and driven by Toby Lynch must overcome starting from post 8. .
A strong array of trotting races compliment the rest of the program.
Dover Downs races four days a week, Mondays through Thursdays beginning at 4:30 p.m. No Live racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Watch the races and enjoy dining in the Winners Circle Restaurant’s acclaimed Harness 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