DOVER, Del. — Despite starting from post 8, Tough Mac responded after an 'off' performance in his last start with a 1:54 victory in the week's top trot on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Dover Downs. Meet leading harness racing driver Corey Callahan steered the winner in the $20,000 Open/Handicap trot, George Dennis wins three.
Owned by Mike Casalino, Tough Mac, trained by meet leader, Dylan Davis, moved up on the backstretch to challenge front-trotting War Cry Hall (Ross Wolfenden) at the three-quarters and the pair dueled-it out the rest of the mile with Tough Mac taking over in the closing strides. The triumph was the 11th of the campaign for the Lockkeeper-Traditional Lady black gelding who has been 1-2-3 in 19 of 27 starts while adding $131,255 to his seasonal bankroll. Spunky Jack (Roger Plante) finished third.
The 8-post didn't bother I Like My Boss in the next race, a $12,000 conditioned trot. After two straight wins, the betting public allowed the all-Delaware homebred of trainer Bob Shahan and the Parsons to go off at 12-1. The Don Boss Vita-Wild One four-year-old gelding took the lead from Wingus (Vince Copeland) turning for home and held on for a 1:54.3 victory with driver George Dennis picking up his third win on the card. Powerful Charger (Vic Kirby) was third.
Corey Callahan's first of a two-win night, came driving Howard and Josh Kaufman's recent acquisition Drinksforthehouse held off fast-finishing Adrenalin Junkie (Jim Morand) to win a $15,500 3,4&5-Year-Old trot in 1:55.4. It was the second local start for the Conway Hall-Pacific Photo sophomore gelding trained by John Cabot. Machuca (Allan Davis) the early leader was the show finisher.
Streaking Ragazzo Dolce, reined by Jim Morand, extended his win streak to five romping to a 1:54.3 score in a $15,000 Claiming Allowance trot. The win was the first of two for owner Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis. Dribble Drive (Dennis) and Brew Master (Montrell Teague) were second and third respectively.
George Dennis had three winners. Corey Callahan, Allan Davis, Brett Miller, trainer Dylan Davis and owner Mike Casalino, all collected a double.
PL HOOFHEARTED, LAUGHING MATTERS LEAD $20,000-$25,000 CLAIMER
PL Hoofhearted is the lone winner last time as a field of eight meet in a $20,000-$25,000 Claiming pace for 4&5-year-olds on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
Marcus Miller put Curran Racing’s PL Hoofhearted right on the lead and sped to a 1:53.2 victory in last Thursday’s feature. PT Stable claimed Laughing Matters two starts back and makes his second start for its new owner with Art Stafford Jr. driving. Movie Sequel was overmatched last time starting from the rail, but now gets a better post position and driver Corey Callahan.
Toby Lynch owned, trained and driven Major Bucks makes his career debut in a claiming race but must overcome starting from post 8. The other starters are Troy Tribbet’s Big Secret with Jonathan Roberts driving, Mike West and Danny Walsh’s Militia Man drew post 1 with Allan Davis driving. Angela Coombs’ Regal Hope with Vic Kirby and Kathleen Brewer’s Jackson Brady handled by Ross Wolfenden return to the claiming ranks.
Marv Bachrad