Harness racing driver George Dennis picked right up where he left off last week at Dover Downs when he drove 14 wins in four days, driving three winners including Springforth in the $24,000 Mares Open pace.
With a post position other than outside in his last four outings, Dennis left quickly and then turned back an effort by $1-million winner Sassa Hanover, driven by Ross Wolfenden, on the backstretch to pull off with a :27.2 final quarter for a personal record 1:51.4 triumph in the week's top distaff event. Jeff Clark owns and trains the Artsplace-Spring Morning six-year-old who wins for the second time this year along with four seconds and two thirds. She has won $$52,920 in 2016. It was her 18th career win good for $368,474 earnings. Empress Deo and Allan Davis closed strongly to finish second in front of Sassa Hanover.
KDK Standardbreds' Apple Bottom Jean, winner of both the Dover Downs and Harrington $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals raced off to another big start chalking up an impressive 1:53.3 victory in the first of two $20,000 1st leg preliminaries for three-year-old filly pacers. Montrell Teague steered the black daughter of Mr. Apples-Scylla Hanover to her sixth career win in seven starts for trainer Kevin Switzer. Eternal Ring (Jonathan Roberts) was second best with Mortgage Bags (Eddie Dennis) third.
Use Your Noodle pulled a mild surprise in the second $20,000 test. The Artzina-Gophobia brown filly defeated freshman defending champ Delle Donne (Callahan) in 1:53.3. The win was the first of the campaign for Use Your Noodle and fourth in her career with six seconds. Jim Morand drove the win for trainer Les Givens and owners Henry Faragalli III, Feeney, Johnson and Nanticoke Racing. Delle Donne, who had a perfect three-for-three wins going-in, finished second. She's Brilliant (Davis) was the show horse.
Vic Kirby drove Cougar Creek to victory in 1:53.4 in the third $20,000 DSBF filly pace. Trained by Jim King for his wife JoAnn Looney-King, the Dream Away-Fire One Up filly won easily besting Fiftyshadesofrusty (G.Dennis) and Motel Molly (Wolfenden). The 2nd leg DSBF events will be held next Tuesday.
In an $18,500 4&5-Year-Old Mares pace, Marigold Bloom got up in 1:53.3 for Corey Callahan's third win. Trish Foulk trains the Foulk Stables owned Artistic Fella-Classic move five-year-old who recorded her second straight victory. Little Sandyloan (Montrell Teague) finished second with Yanklet Hanover (Wolfenden) third.
George Dennis and Corey Callahan had two winners each. Trainer Jim King and owner JoAnn Looney-King had doubles.
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