DOVER, Del.— Frost Free Hanover with Vic Kirby made it two straight win in the $20,000 Open Handicap Trot on a Spring-like Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Dover Downs.
Similar to last week, Frost Free Hanover came from off the pace to beat Uva Hanover (Tony Morgan), second, and Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), third, in a three-horse driving finish to score a 1:53 victory in the feature race. Fourth heading to the last turn Kirby found room and streaked home for the Cantab Hanover-Free Spirit gelding's third win of the meet for trainer Jim King and owner Richard Poillucci.
Kirby came right back to drive Steel Reserve to a 1:53.4 triumph in the $15,500 sub-feature trot for 4&5-Year-Olds. This time, it was via the passing lane that Steel Reserve got up to edge Celebrity Pegasus (Art Stafford Jr.) took his second win in his last three outings. Kirby and Chris Giaccio own the Credit Winner-iron Lass brown gelding. Go Byem (Jim Morand) led from before the half to nearing the finish line but had to settle for third.
Vic Kirby and Corey Callahan led all drivers with three wins each . Allan Davis, George Dennis and trainer Dylan Davis had two winners.
The top pace of the week, a $30,000 Preferred, matches Little Ben, Dancin Yankee and Clear Vision in an eight horse feature race.
LITTLE BEN, DANCIN YANKEE MEET IN $30,000 PREFERRED PACE
Little Ben, a 1:50 winner last week and Dancin Yankee, fresh from a 1:50.3 win a week ago head a strong eight-horse field in the $30,000 Preferred pace while Bushwacker and $7.4-milllion winner Foiled Again lead the $20,000 Open on another outstanding Thursday program Jan. 12 at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Janet Hudson and JoAnn Looney-King’s super sharp Little Ben, handled by Vic Kirby, a dominant top-class producer in the current Dover meet is nearing the $300,000 mark in career earnings. Last start, Rich Lombardo and L&J Racing’s Dancin Yankee returned to the winner’s circle via a wire-to-wire score with Tony Morgan, upping his lifetime money to more than $1.5-million. Soto was never headed in last week’s Open pace and Art Stafford Jr. will drive in his Preferred debut. For owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquita,
Bamon Racing and J&T Stables’ Ideal Cowboy, after consecutive wins in December, makes his 2017 first start with Ross Wolfenden in the bike. George and Tina Dennis’ Seventh Secret, saw a two-race win streak snapped with a second-place finish by ahead with George Dennis driving. Corey Callahan will drive Arque Hanover, third last Thursday for owners Abe Basen, Tom Lazzaro and Robert Cooper Stable. Sweet Rock and Allan Davis, has been racing well. Reg Hazzard, G.P.Calloway and Legacy Racing own the six-year-old gelding. Completing the top notch field is a newcomer this week, $2.5-million winner Clear Vision with Yannick Gingras driving for Weaver Bruscemi, Panhellenic and Burke Racing.
Henderson Farms’ Bushwacker (Callahan), drew the rail in the $20,000 Open pace, his first time with an inside post after twice from the outside. The all-timer richest horse in the sport, $7.5-million winner Foiled Again (Gingras) must start from outside post 8. The 13-year-old is owned by Weaver Bruscemi, JJK and Burke Racing stables. Al Carter and trainer Doug Lewis’ Captive Audience (Jonathan Roberts) , J.L. Sadowsky’s Te Kawau N (Sean Bier), Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing’s Sicily (Allan Davis), Cliff Grundy’s Screaman Seaman A (Kirby),Tony Beaton and West Wins Stable’s Vegas Vacation (Montrell Teague) and Niss Allen Inc’s Rockinonby (Tony Morgan), a winner of three of his last four, steps up in Class.
by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs