Scirocco Rob sought vindication and won the Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday night.
Last week, Scirocco Rob was going to win the race when he made a rare break and was placed from first to fourth.
This week he made up for the break with a rousing victory, trotting from off the pace.
At the start, there was a three horse scramble for the early lead. The 8/5 race favorite JL Cruze left sharply along with Jack Vernon and the mare Pat Matters.
As the dust cleared going to the quarter, JL Cruze gave the lead to Pat Matters She had settled in third early then brushed to the top. The quarter was reached in a solid :27 seconds and the half was reached in 55.1. Pat Matters maintained an uncontested lead.
Northern Express and Russell Foster moved off the rail past the half and trotted 1st over in pursuit of the pace setter Pat Matters. Scirocco Rob and driver Tim Tetrick were towed 2nd over and in perfect position to pounce on the leaders.
Pat Matters continued on a comfortable two length lead, over JL Cruze. Pat Matters reached the three quarters in 1:23.1 and seemingly started to draw off as JL Cruze began to get leg weary in the pocket.
Turning for home both Northern Express and Scirocco Rob began gobbling up real estate with every stride.
In the deep stretch, Scirocco Rob thundered home to win by three quarters of a length in 1:51.3 and paid $6.60 to win.
SCIROCCO ROB REPLAY
Scirocco Rob (Explosive Matter) is owned by Lewis Whitaker Jr. and Kathleen Whitaker. Mark Silva does the training. Northern Express, who was placed 1st last week due to the untimely break by Scirocco Rob, finished 2nd this week for trainer Arty Foster Jr. Earlier in the week, Northern Express was announced as Dover Downs’ Horse Of The Meet. Pat Matters, who set all the race fractions, finished 3rd for trainer Nifty Norman. Andrew McCarthy drove.
Tim Tetrick won 4 races on the betting card. Pat Berry won three races.
Racing continues on Wednesday at Dover Downs. Post Time is 4:30 pm
For full race results, click here.
by Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs