DOVER, Del. — War Cry Hall took the lead on the last turn on the way to a 1:53.2 win in the $20,000 Open Handicap trot on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Dover Downs. Meanwhile Bullett Blue strikes at 90-1. Harness racing driver George Dennis drives a grand slam.
RBH Ventures' War Cry Hall came at leader Tough Mac on the final turn and then rolled right by in the lane to notch his 12th win of the campaign with Ross Wolfenden driving for trainer Jim King. The triumph was the second straight and third in five starts for the Cash Hall-Winners Only six-year-old gelding. He has now earned $118,890 this year. Ashes Cash (Vic Kirby), a winner last week, came on fast in the stretch to take second-place. Hemi Seelster (Brett Miller) was third. It was Ross Wolfenden's second win on the card.
Earlier, Bullitt Blue, owned and trained by veteran Howard Birney, became the longest-price payoff of the meet as Sean Bier guided the Cams Fortune-Blue For You homebred to a 90-1 victory in a 2,3&4-Year-Old pace. The 1:54.2 second career win was his first in more than a month.
I'm So Striking returned to the winner's circle for the first time this meet chalking up a 1:54.1 life-time victory in a $12,000 conditioned trot. An altered son of I'm Striking. I'm So Striking-Ringside Katie is trained and driven by Eddie Dennis for Lois and Earl Walters and E&K Stable. The six-year-old has earned $273,553 in his career. Five Towns (Corey Callahan) and Cashontherocs (Allan Davis) were second and third respectively.
Ragazzo Dolce is currently king of the $15,000-$20,000 Claiming Handicap trotters. The Muscles Yankee-Bella Dolce four-year-old gelding reined by Jim Morand, won for the fourth consecutive start scoring a 1:55.1 triumph for owners Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis. Aventure (B.Miller) was second. Vimy Ridge (A.Davis) was third, ending his four-race win streak.
George Dennis had a big night recording four winning drives. Jim Morand, trainer Eddie Dennis and owners E&K Stable had two wins apiece.
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