MidAtlanticHarness.com

 Welcome to MidAtlanticHarness.com, your new home for everything to do with harness racing on the eastern seaboard.

Read the rest of this entry »

DOVER, DE — Celii N won the feature pace, while Lady Segil N and Financial Glider won the top trots on Thursday (Feb. 28) at Dover Downs. Tony Morgan had four winners while Eddie Davis Jr. and Corey Callahan scored triples.

Corey Callahan won the second of a back-to-back double closing with a rush to just get up in the final strides driving Dave and Linda Oliver’s Celii N to a 1:54.1 victory in the $16,500 4&5-Year-Old Male pace. Pilgrims Burner (Tony Morgan) was a close second, a neck in front of Beavercreek Harley (Roger Plante). The win was the second in his last three starts for the Badlands Hanover gelding.

Joe Muscara’s Lady Segil N won the $14,500 feature trot rolling down the passing lane for Tony Morgan to score a 1:58 decision. TP Twinkle Toes (Carlo Poliseno) was placed second when Magic Swan (Vic Kirby) broke stride nearing the finish line. Smokey Bear was moved up from fourth and placed third.

In the other half of the day’s top trots, Eddie Davis Jr. moved Lorna Cohen and Kevin Switzer’s Financial Glider three-wide heading to the three quarters and then pulled away for a 1:58.1 victory in a second $14,500 trot. The win was the second for Eddie Davis Jr. Armbro Emma (Ben Stafford Jr.) rolled home along the inside to finish second in front of Game Speed (Corey Callahan).

George Hobbs’ The Other Cheek, a Western Hanover gelding, scored a 1:52.1 triumph in an $11,000 Male pace for Tony Morgan’s second winner. Western Number (Roger Plante) was runner-up. Jet Set Hall (Kevin Sizer) came in third.

Recent new owners, Charles and Diane Coursey’s Northern Scholar proved the best in a $20,000 Claiming pace. Brandon Givens guided the five-year-old California-bred gelding to victory holding off fast finishing Mr. Fit (Jonathan Roberts). Bionicle N (Corey Callahan) came on to finish third.

Corey Callahan finished off the program with his third driving win piloting To Much Fun to a nose victory in 1:53.4 to nip Mac’s Derrick T (Kevin Sizer) at the wire. Four Starzzz Favor (Kim Vincent) was the show finisher. Nick and son, Shaun Callahan and unrelated Parker Callahan own the Lislea-sired winner.

Jason Lynch gave himself a 19th birthday present. The youthful driver recorded his first lifetime pari-mutuel win guiding Cliff Green’s Coopersmith to a 1:58 win in a $7,500 Delaware Claiming pace. In his previous four drives behind Coopersmith, Lynch had finished second twice and third twice.

Wayne Givens and Arty Foster Jr. had two training wins each.

No live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.

– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – After qualifying well on February 20^th at Rosecroft Raceway, Our Last Photo will open on the board as the 5/2 morning line favorite in a $3,000 trotting event this Friday.

Racing for owner Scott Woogen, the four-year-old SJ’s Photo gelding showed a brave mile during the qualifier to finish fourth in 2:01.0, as he was parked out through the middle half of the race. Set to be driven by John Wagner for trainer Manley Brown Jr. from post position four, Our Last Photo will make his 2008 debut with this mile. Last year, the gelding sported a line of 4-2-5 across the board from 19 starts.

After winning against similar competition last week, Party’s Mix Girl is a top contender at 3/1 early odds from the rail position. Trained by Joe Offutt, the five-year-old Party Party mare sat in the pocket to win in 2:00.0 with a 29.1 last quarter. Regular reinsman Timmy Offutt, who co-owns the mare with Maria Lewis, will again be in the sulky.

Spinning For Gold gave Party’s Mix Girl a run for the money last week, finishing a mere neck behind in 2:00.0 for second. The five-year-old SJ’s Photo mare, trained by Nancy Lisi for owner Arthur Lisi, has been consistent through her last several starts. Mark Gray will drive the mare away from the gate in post position two.

Amber Alert (Sam Belote, 5/1), Autumn Lavec (Kelly Staten, 10/1), Kursk (Tony Schadel, 8/1) and Ottawa Valley (Frank Milby, 6/1) round out the sixth-race field.

Post time for Friday’s live racing card is 6:30 p.m.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

DOVER, DE — For the second straight week, Rusty’s Biggie reigned supreme in the $32,000 Open trot on the Wednesday (Feb. 27) card at Dover Downs. Four drivers, led by Corey Callahan’s four, won all but two of the 15 races.

With Tim Tetrick driving, Rusty’s Biggie moved sharply to take the lead on the final turn and then sped to a 1:55.3 victory in the week’s top trot. Tom Kirby trains the CR Commando gelding for Horsemans Financial Agency and Premier Racing Stable now a three-time winner in his last four outings. It was the fourth win of 2008 for the six-year-old, a winner of $59,925 this year. Rose Run Flash and Mike Cole closed strongly to finish second. Jake’s Nordic with Tim Curtin picked up show money.

J&E Stable’s Go Nano Go reached the finish line first for the second time in three starts as Eddie Davis Jr. piloted the Balanced Image gelding to victory in 1:56.2. Davis took command after the first quarter, held off Go Sassy Go, steered by George Dennis, from the backstretch and had just enough to beat fast finishing Jessie Hall and Tim Tetrick by a long nose at the wire. Go Sassy Go was a game third.

Jason Darling’s Sandy Attitude pulled a surprise in the $19,500 conditioned trot winning a photo from Hide In Your Shell (Steve Warrington) and Star Swagger (Roger Plante) in a 1:58.2 mile. The win was the second of the year for the six-year-old daughter of Ilooklikemymom, driven by Art Stafford Jr. for trainer Andrew Stafford.

Jim Morand steered Sweet Daddy Siki, owned by Colleen and Paul Chambers, into the lead heading for home on the way to a 1:57.2 score in a $19,000 trot. Altered States, also a four-year-old, closed for second. Pamplona, a winner of his previous three races, broke stride at the start, but driver Vic Kirby got him back on gait and Pamplona finished fastest of all to take the third spot.

Buffalo Have Wings had just enough to hold off Super Grove (Tony Morgan) and Rich Zulick’s In Hot Pursuit HR got Tony Morgan to the winner’s circle for the third time after a 1:54.1 triumph in a $30,000 Claiming pace. Steam The Windows (Tim Curtin) and Dreamluck (Jim Morand) were separated by a nose, finishing second and third respectively.

Often claimed Kilkerran Scot notched a 1:54.1 win in a $25,000 Claiming pace, Armbro Beethoven (Corey Callahan) was runner-up. Fully Exotic (Jonathan Roberts) took third.

Corey Callahan had four winners. Tony Morgan, Tim Tetrick, and Jim Morand each won three races.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.

– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs

DOVER, DE — For the second straight week, Ultimate Bet was an upset winner in the $32,000 Mares Open pace at Dover Downs, covering the mile in 1:53.4 over sloppy going. Fionavar Hanover and Lockes Of Love won Mares Winners-Over events, and Tim Tetrick was back in gear, locking up a six-win night.

Last week, Ultimate Bet was a wire-to-wire winner at 25-1 odds for Sean Bier in the week’s top distaff event. This week, the Bettor’s Delight five-year-old was overlooked at 9-1. Bier drove Ultimate Bet from off the pace as Pacific Philly (Eddie Davis Jr.) and race favorite Ideal Weather (Tim Tetrick) battled head-to-head up the backstretch and through the far turn. Ultimate Bet came from fifth, thundering four-wide, to overtake the leaders in the lane to score her fourth win in eight starts this year for Three Point Acres and trainer Chuck Crissman. Dream-A-While took a three-wide shot around the final turn, out-pacing Ideal Weather to the finish line for second money.

In a $25,000 Mares Winners-Over pace, Fionavar Hanover with Tim Tetrick at the controls, notched a 1:53.2 triumph for Sylvia Burke, Frank Baldachino and Howard Taylor. A five-year-old by The Panderosa, she was chased home by Eric Goodell-driven Bikini Bottom and Flirtwithedealer and Jonathan Roberts.

Lockes Of Love proved to be much the best in the $23,000 Mares Winners-Over pace. Tim Tetrick drove the Blissfull Hall four-year-old owned by Cantwell Bridge Stable to her second win in the last three starts. Poker Mom came on for Corey Callahan to finish second. Love And Lust N, with Brandon Givens, was the third horse

Tim Tetrick posted his fourth of a six-win night guiding Mike and Ann Tait’s Tug River Aussie out of sixth in front of the grandstand and into the lead on the clubhouse turn. The Cambest four-year-old then continued on for a 1:54 conquest in a $16,500 Mares pace. Millwood Ashley N (Brandon Givens) closed well to finish second in front of Sixteen Candles (Bob Kinsey Jr.).

Arty Foster Jr.’s Dainty’s Away N, teamed with Eric Goodell, took a $14,000 Mares pace in 1:55.3. Driving’ Miss Rudee (Jim Morand) won a photo finish for second beating Keystone Rhythm (Corey Callahan).

Peggy Martin’s Vital Flyte sat alongside leader Front Tier Power (Tony Morgan) from the backstretch until turning for home when Jim Morand urged the Badlands Hanover mare clear and on the way to a 1:56.3 triumph in an $11,000 Mares pace. Talia’s Character (Joe Sullivan) closed along the passing lane to edge Front Tier Power for second.

Mozzi Hanover, another of George Teague’s emerging three-year-old pacers, scored his third straight career victory in a $10,500 3,4&5-Year-Old Filly and Mare pace. Jim Morand drove the daughter of Jenna’s Beach Boy, owned by Clyde Francis, Jim Bernstein and Teague Inc., shaking off a challenge from Deborah And Barak (Tim Tetrick) by the final turn and the waltzed to a 3-length victory in 1:56.1. Deborah And Barak held on for second with Fashion Virtue (Bran Burton) third.

Kathleen Weller’s Famed Artist returned to the winner’s circle for the fifth time in her last six starts as the Mark Markus trainee recorded a 1:53.4 victory with Tim Tetrick driving in a $20,000-$25,000 Mares Claiming Handicap. Isn’t She Fancy (Jim King) came on strong to finish second. Mapua Magic N (Corey Callahan) took the show spot.

Corey Callahan drove both ends of a 5-5 daily double. In the 1st, Doris Marine’s Briar Creeks Angle won her maiden victory in 1:57.2 in a $7,000 3&4-Year-Old Maiden pace. Next, Cosmo Madness, owned by Emma Butler and trainer Deweese Butler, came on in an $8,500 3,4&5-Year-Old pace for a 1:54.4 victory.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.

– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs

DOVER, DE — Razor sharp Immortal Quest N, Art Director, and Dream Rocket won the $40,000 Preferred, Delaware Special, and Open paces respectively on the big Monday (Feb. 25) program at Dover Downs. Brian Sears led the drivers with three wins, with Tony Morgan, Ron Pierce, and Eric Goodell scoring driving doubles.

Recently resurrected Immortal Quest N took the lead at the start, fighting off a lengthy and stubborn challenge from Slickest Hanover with Eric Goodell to notch a 1:50.3 conquest in the $40,000 Preferred Handicap, his third win in his last four starts. Tim Tetrick drove the Sands A Flyin gelding for Carter Racing Stable and trainer Bobby Myers. Slickest Hanover held on for second, with Prince Of Luck and Brandon Givens the show finisher. Immortal Quest N’s wins have come in the Delaware Special, Open, and now Preferred paces. His 2008 earnings have now reached $69,470.

Kovach Stable’s Art Director enjoyed a perfect trip with Brian Sears at the controls in a 1:51 score in the $37,500 Delaware Special. Yannick Gingras drove Thin Blue Line into the early lead and he held on to finish second. Klondike Kid (Eric Goodell) was also in the photo, settling for third. The win was the second of the season for Art Director, whose 2008 tally includes a second and two thirds in eight races.

Patchel Family Stable’s Home Run Hudson fanned four-wide around the last turn and drew off from six rivals to score a 1:51.2 victory in the $32,000 Open Handicap pace, his second consecutive trip to the winner’s circle. The win was the second of the day for Eric Goodell.

Dream Rocket dropped a notch into the $28,000 Jr. Open pace and came through with a 1:52.1 victory teamed with Tony Morgan. Chewy Gross and Eric Goodell came through with a second. Armbro Baylor closed well for Brian Sears to finish third. The win was the first of the year for the Pacific Rocket gelding owned by Boy Oh Boy Stable now sporting a career bankroll of $588,969.

Brian Sears steered PT Stable’s Paisan Hall to a 1:51.1 triumph in a $25,000 Winners-Over pace, his second win in three starts and fourth of the year. Fade N Away closed for Tim Tetrick to pick up place money with Toucam Sam and Ron Pierce third.

Off at 15-1, Angebrook pulled a surprise in the $23,000 Winners-Over pace for Tom Ceraso and Trish Foulk. Eric Goodell guided the Artiscape gelding to a 1:51.4 triumph beating Marchand, driven by Tony Morgan, second, and Brave Call and Tim Tetrick, third.

Jim Morgan guided Albert Hanna’s Jordan’s Planet to his second win in a row, a 1:51.4 decision in a $20,000 Male pace. Black Reef N was second for Brian Sears with Monte Carlo third driven by Andy Miller.

Andy Miller steered Ken Wood’s McCabe Hall to a 1:51.1 win in the $40,000 Claiming pace wile Saucy Master N with Brian Sears driving for Bob Rementer and trainer Jason Skinner took the $30,000 Claiming Allowance.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.

– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs

DOVER, DE — Hicktown continues to climb the winning ladder while Classic Card Shark is rounding into top form after feature race wins on the Sunday, Feb. 24 card at Dover Downs.

Bob and Rhonda Smith’s Hicktown continued his early 2008 success story setting a new lifetime record of 1:51.4 winning the $23,800 Delaware Winners-Over pace with Tim Tetrick handling the driving assignment. Grinfrombeertobeer finished second for Tony Morgan while Diamonds Revenge carried Mike Cole to a third-place finish.

Classic Card Shark, bred and owned by Winbak Farms, scored a decisive 1:52.3 victory in a $19,500 4&5-Year-Old pace as Jim Morand guided the Cam’s Card Shark five-year-old to his second win in four starts this year. Gottaservesomebody (Tony Morand) was second. Cathedral Grove (Corey Callahan) took show honors.

Tony Morgan’s first of three wins came directing Mike Casalino and Dylan Davis’ Miller Creek Heart to a third consecutive win in her first local start a $16,500 4&5-Year-Old Mares pace. The Richess Hanover four-year-old won her previous two races at Balmoral Park before taking new ownership. What A Beauty (Jim Morand) was next. Leimatua (Vic Kirby) closed strongly to finish third.

Roger Plante’s third driving win came piloting Don Kozlaski’s recently acquired Bandito N, off at 17-1 odds, to a new lifetime record winning the $12,500 Male pace in 1:52.3. Primary Colours N (Corey Callahan) closed for second while front pacing Giddy Up N Giggle (Tony Morgan) held on for third.

Earlier Plante guided Joanne Matthews’ Bedegrayne Hanover home in 1:54 to win a $12,000 Delaware 4&5-Year-Old Male pace. Pantomoftheopera (Corey Callahan) was runner-up in front of Swim Shark Swim (Eddie Davis Jr.).

In a $25,000 Claiming Allowance pace, Jason Skinner’s Jiffy Popcorn overcame leaving from post 8 as Corey Callahan drove the Village Jiffy gelding to victory in 1:55, his third in four starts fourth in six outings. Allamerican Reason (Tony Morgan) was second with Mr. Socks (George Dennis) the third finisher.

In a straight $25,000 claimer, Adsdean N with Tony Morgan driving put on a strong stretch finish to catch leader GE’s Jackson (Corey Callahan) nearing the finish line to chalk up a 1:53.4 victory for owner Mildred Ventriglio. Powerful Sam (Tim Tetrick) took show money.

Morgan also drove Crissman Inc.’s Switch Hitter to a 1:54.2 triumph in a $20,000 Claiming Allowance to give the Eicarls Diehard four-year-old his second straight win. Quality Import (Sean Bier) was second. Iwannabesedated (Corey Callahan) was third.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.

– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs

Driver Donnie Russell took four of 12 races on Saturday; his first was with Evelyn’s Fantasy, a six-year-old Island Fantasy gelding. Also trained by Russell, Evelyn’s Fantasy paced wire-to-wire in 1:54.4, winning by over three lengths.

His next win came with PH Outlaw, an eight-year-old Happy Family gelding trained by Shawn Armour. The pacer was parked through the middle half of the mile, but managed to win by half of a length in 1:55.3.

Strong Suit, a five-year-old horse by Cam’s Card Shark, paced first-over to win by a neck under the guidance of Russell. Trained by Douglas Sweigart, the horse stopped the timer in 1:55.2.

Russell’s final win of the evening came with Charlottes Boreas, a seven-year-old Largo gelding. Russell took the pacer to the lead with a quarter-pole move, winning by over five lengths in 1:57.2.

Live racing will be presented once again on Friday, February 29th at 6:30 p.m.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – At the top of his game right now, Racing Naked [$4.40, $2.20, $2.10] extended his winning streak to three consecutive victories, taking a two-length lead over the field in the Saturday Open pace at Rosecroft Raceway.

Upping his lifetime earnings to over $280,000 with this win, the eight-year-old Misfit horse left the gate alertly from post position three to secure a seat in third through an opening quarter of 27.3. Driver Victor Kirby tipped the pacer out to gain the top at the half in 56.1, and continued to race through fractions of 1:24.2 and 1:53.0. John Sumner trains Racing Naked for owner William Camp Jr.

Weiss Hanover [$2.10, $2.60] paced first-over to finish second with trainer Donnie Russell at his lines. The six-year-old Western Hanover horse, owned by Edward Needle, challenged Racing Naked in the stretch for an impressive finish.

Barolo Hanover [$4.00] followed Weiss Hanover for third, finishing three-and-a-half lengths off of the winner. Driven by Corey Braden for owners Jacob Ramsburg and Colby Hubble, who also trains, the six-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa paced home in a 28.3 last quarter.

The trifecta, coming in 3-1-5, paid $29.60.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – After winning in two consecutive miles over the Rosecroft oval, Racing Naked will try and make it three in a row in the $6,000 Open pace tonight, Saturday February 23^rd.

With a driver change to Victor Kirby, the eight-year-old Misfit horse will face the starter in post position three as the 2/1 morning line favorite. Trained by John Sumner for owner William Camp Jr., Racing Naked won his last start wire-to-wire in 1:54.1 with a 27.4 final quarter. The talented pacer has banked over $278,000 lifetime to date.

From the rail, Weiss Hanover is the 5/2 second choice on the line. After hitting the board each of his last four starts, the six-year-old Western Hanover horse will again have trainer Donnie Russell in the sulky and the pair will race for owner Edward Needle.

Dixie Pride is the third choice at 4/1 early odds for the Offutt connections. The seven-year-old Real Artist horse was extremely impressive two starts back, firing to the finish line in 1:54.0, winning by over nine lengths. Joe Offutt will guide the horse away from the gate in post position six.

Also contending are SA Monterosa (Kelly Staten, 5/1), Gold Comet (Ken Weckstein, 8/1) and Barolo Hanover (Corey Braden, 5/1).

Post time for tonight’s 12-race card is 6:30 p.m.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway