DOVER, Del.— Corey Callahan zipped Mike Casalino's Tough Mac quickly to the front from the outside and then never-looked-back en route to a 1:53.1 harness racing victory in the $20,000 Mares Open Handicap on Wednesday, March 8 at Dover Downs.
Tough Mac has been super-sharp of late winning for the second straight time making it four wins in his last five outings. The Lockkeeper-Traditional Lady gelding won for the fourth time this year. Tough Mac registered his 29th lifetime victory bringing his bankroll to $359,399. Frost Free Hanover, his major competition for the meet's top trotter, closed strongly to finish second with Vic Kirby in the bike while 2012 Hambletonian winner Market Square and Tim Tetrick came on in the lane to take third money.
Celebrity Pegasus got back on the winning trail breezing to a 1:55.1 triumph in the $15,000 4&5-Year-Old Winners-Over trot with Art Stafford Jr. guiding the victory. Last heading to the half mile, Celebrity Pegasus pulled out followed cover from 75-1 shot Lucky Ten K (Ross Wolfenden) until the final turn then rolled past the early leader Uncle Mack (Yannick Gingras) on the way to his third win of 2017 and 15th lifetime. United Bi (George Dennis) closed well to take second in front of Lucky Ten K (Ross Wolfenden). Eric Ell conditions the Andover Hall-Celebrity Athena five-year-old for Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms.
Last year at this time, Jingle Bell Rocker was a tough-to-beat campaigner on a long six-race win streak. It has taken the Rocknroll Hanover-Blissard Of Oz gelding until his seventh start to make the winner's circle this year winning a $7,500 claimer in 1:54.3. Ross Wolfenden drove the win for trainer Les Givens and owner Tina Clark, his 33rd career triumph..
Ross Wolfenden led with three driving wins; Corey Callahan, Vic Kirby and Tim Tetrick had a pair of wins each.
EMERITUS MAXIMUS SEEKS THIRD STRAIGHT $27,500 DEL SPECIAL
Emeritus Maximus, a riches-to-rags-back to riches, performer seeks to win the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap for the third consecutive time this Thursday, March 9 at Dover Downs, the top event on a stellar program. First Post is 4:30 p.m.
Yannick Gingras drove Emeritus Maximus, to a 1:50.3 victory last week following a 1:50 decision the previous Thursday, to win $27,500 Delaware Special Handicaps. Again this week the re-emerging seven-year-old will start from the outside in a strong eight-horse field. Since being claimed on January 19 by Don Marine and Brent Hall, the former juvenile star, who had been shuffled off to claiming events, is a winner of six of nine 2017 races and $51,895 in puses. Among his potent challengers now is fast finishing Blazing Bobby Sox, reined and co-owned by Art Stafford Jr. with father, Art Stafford, has been in peak form in recent weeks. Sweet Rock, racing for Reg Hazzard, G.P.Calloway and Legacy Racing, is also in prime form, and leaves from the rail with Allan Davis.
Remember Me VK pulled a 13-1 upset for Montrell Teague winning the last Open and steps up. Vic Kirby will pilot Max Walton and Greg Papaleo's seasoned veteran Mustang Art, usually a factor each week. Al Carter and Doug Lewis' Captive Audience handled by Tim Tetrick is racing at the top of his game. Driver George &Tina Dennis' Seventh Secret has been smitten by tough racing luck in recent efforts. Sean Bier will drive Jenny Bier's Im Supersonic A , to round out the field.
in the $20,000 Open Handicap pace, Mildred Ventriglio's Major Uptrend (Tony Morgan) has been super-sharp winning his last two races. Two other starters are also fresh from wins at Yonkers, J.L. Sadowsky's Te Kawau N (Pat Berry) and Caviart Skyler (Gingras), owned by Weaver Bruscemi, Peter Collura and Burke Racing Stable.
There is a hard-hitting undercard on the 15-race card.
Monday through Thursday live racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are 'dark days' at the track. Fine food is available while watching the races at the acclaimed Winner's Circle Restaurant Buffet. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad