Il Mago, who has not missed a check since arriving at Dover Downs, won for the first time in six starts scoring in the $20,000 Open Handicap harness racing trot in 1:52.3 on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Tim Tetrick moved Il Mago out of second on the backstretch and then breezed to victory, his seventh of the year, going into six-figures with $102,046 earned this campaign, to win the Wednesday feature. Scott DiDomenico conditions the seven-year-old son of Kadabra-Northern Style for CC Racing. The $663,018 lifetime winner was followed by Tough Mac (Corey Callahan) with Celebrity Pegagus (Art Stafford Jr) the only four-year-old in the race finishing third.
A race earlier, Delaware-bred Go Byem returned to winning form disposing of eight rivals for a 1:54 triumph in a $15,500 3,4&5-Year-Old Winners-Over trot. Jim Morand drove the Les Givens-trained Impel Hanover-Go Sassy Go for breeder Delbert Cain who owns the four-year-old gelding with Nanticoke Racing. Steel Reserve (Vic Kirby) closed quickly to take second with Frost Free Hanover (Tetrick) the show horse.
Tim Tetrick had four wins including a 20-1 shot, Royal Lad, in a $7,500 trot; .Yannick Gingras scored three times and owner-trainer Ed Gannon registered two winners, Tetrick and Gingras now are tied for first place in wins this meet with 37 each one more than former leader Vic Kirby.
BETTOR’S EDGE IN $30,000 PREFERRED; MUSTANG ART, $27,500 DEL. SPECIAL
Bettor’s Edge starts from the outside against three winners last time out in the $30,000 Preferred Handicap at Dover Downs. Mustang Art, who just missed a win twice in-a-row also leaves from post 8 in the $27,500 Delaware Special, the Thursday, Dec. 8 twin feature races. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Papa Ray, Just A Jolt and Sweet Beach with two straight won their previous starts. Yannick Gingras drives Bettor’s Edge for Weaver Bruscemi Burke Racing an M1 stables, finished strongly third, beaten a half-length in last week’s feature. He won three straight early in the Fall. Last Thursday, Lombardo and L&J Racing’s veteran Dancin Yankee led until late in the stretch with Corey Callahan, before retreating to fourth only a length behind at the wire.
Bamond and J&T Silva Stables’ Ideal Cowboy, was second beaten by a neck. Tim Tetrick will drive this week. Tom Cancelliere’s Sweet Beach is fresh from two consecutive wins at Pocono Downs. Papa Ray, owned by Reg Hazzard and legacy Racing steps up in company after a two wins in three starts including a come-from off-the-pace success last time from post 7 now has the rail. Killer B Stable’s Abelard Hanover driven by Allan Davis, has won two of his last four outings. Janet Hudson’s local favorite Just A Jolt reined by Vic Kirby returns to the track after a month hiatus.
In the $27,500 Delaware Special, last week Little Ben (Kirby), after winning three consecutive features consecutively, did not leave from post 8 and closed well but finished of-the-board for the first time this Fall. This week with Vic Kirby driving for owners Janet Hudson and JoAnn Looney-King, the nine-time winner has post 5.The fast Mustang Art (Sean Bier) just missed for the second straight time by a head and a neck for owners Max Walton and Greg Papaleo, but must start from the outside in the eight-horse field.
The razor sharp Remember Me VK (Montrell Teague) led until late last week before finishing a close-up third after a second the week before. Jenny Bier’s Im Supersonic A (Tetrick) raced well in his first local start. Art and trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr.’s Blazing Bobby Sox, a standout last season, drew post 1. Other strong contenders are Al Carter and trainer Doug Lewis’ Captive Audience (Gingras) Reg Hazzard, G.P. Calloway and Legacy Racing’s Sweet Rock (Allan Davis) and driver George&Tina Dennis Racing’s Seventh Secret.
Also on the competitive 15-race card are an $18,000 Open featuring Wakizashi Hanover, a $15,500 and two $15,000 paces for younger horses.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday are dark days at Dover Downs. Weekdays – Monday through Thursday – live racing begins at 4:30 p.m.
Watch races and enjoy good food in Dover Downs Winner’s Circle Buffet daily. Call 302-674-4600 for reservations.
Harness and Thoroughbred Simulcasting daily 12 Noon until 12 Midnight at Dover Downs Race and Sports Book in the Colonnade. There is no charge for parking or admission at Dover Downs.
Marv Bachrad