DOVER, Del.— Newcomer Tag Up And Go enjoyed a perfect trip sitting second with Ron Pierce then used the passing lane en route to a 1:53.2 victory in the $18,000 Open trot on a misty Wednesday, March 4 at Dover Downs. Pierce went on to win five races.
Tough Mac left smartly from the outside to get the early lead with a :26.3 opening panel with Tag Up And Go sitting right behind. Corey Callahan cut out the fractions with Tough Mac, a six-time feature trot winning this meet. Wind Of The North (Daryl Bier) made a big move on the backstretch from fifth to offer a challenge but shortened strides after turning for home and had to settle for fourth place.
In the stretch Pierce hustled Tag Up And Go along the passing lane to get up in 1:53.2 for the Angus Hall – Tagapine gelding's third win this year. Bob Bresnahan trains the winner for J.L. Sadowsky. Tough Mac held on for second with fast finishing Baximum and Allan Davis, the show horse. The win was the 12th line time for Tag Up And Go, a winner of $202,465.
Pierce and Ragazzo Dolce also teamed to win one of two $14,500 4&5-Year-Old Winners-Over secondary co-features. Pierce again took advantage of racing behind leader Classic Belisima (Corey Callahan) until mid -stretch before pulling out and breezing to a 1:54.4 triumph. The win was the fourth in-a-row for the Muscles Yankee-Bella Dolce gelding since arriving from Woodbine for new owners Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis. Derby (Daryl Bier) finished third. Ragazzo Dolce won for the sixth time in his career. The four-year-old has banded $69,115 lifetime.
Earlier Pierce, drove another Bresnahan-conditioned trotter Fitness Craze, a Crazed-Aerobics gelding owned by Howard Taylor and Rich Lombardo to a 1:54.4 victory in a $13,000 co-feature. Enrico AS (Davis) was second with Apparition (Carlo Poliseno) taking third.
Tony Morgan rang up two win and now stands at 14,965 victories. Corey Callahan, Vic Kirby and trainer Tim Crissman also had doubles.
The $25,000 Delaware Special is the Thursday feature race.
MUSTANG ART AMONG FOUR PREVIOUS WINNERS IN DEL. SPECIAL
Mustang Art, Jebswesternshake, Papa Ray and Believe This Bob, all previous winners of $25,000 Delaware Special/Handicap paces are among the eight starters this week on Thursday, March 5 at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
After two straight 'surprise' wins, Jebswesternshake, who had stepped up from the claiming ranks, raced well but had to settle for a third-place finish for driver George Dennis and owner Frank Chick. Mustang Art, owned by Max Walton and Greg Papaleo, is fresh from a win last time with Hall of Famer Ron Pierce in the bike. Mary Ann Larrimore's Believe This Bob has won this event twice. Trace Tetrick will drive. Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing's Papa Ray with Eddie Davis Jr. driving was the class of the race in late December and early January but did not fare well in late February.
Among other starters, Janet Hudson's Just A Jolt, piloted by Vic Kirby, has been a major factor in all Del. Special's this meet, but ironically, though a favorite in most, has not won. He has been second four-times, and finished fourth twice. In the same category is Eddie and Kathy Davis' Nova Artist. Voted Horse of the Meet the last two seasons, the strong finishing eight-year-old has been inconsistent this meet. The other starters, Doug Lewis' Mojo Terror handled by Ron Pierce made his first local start last week and leaves from post 1. Brit Evans and Foulk Stable's Full Of Sand and driver Jonathan Roberts has been racing well and finished fourth last Thursday.
An $18,000 and three $15,500 Opens and three $14,500 male paces for 4&5-year-old are featured on the strong undercard.
Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are "dark" days. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad