MidAtlanticHarness.com

DOVER, DE — Following a short illness, Tony Morgan wasted no time getting back to business, winning six races on the Saturday (Feb. 23) card highlighted by Mega Hall in the Dover Downs feature. River Princess took the $15,500 sub feature.

Tony Morgan piloted Elmer Fannin’s Mega Hall to a 1:53.3 victory in the $17,300 Delaware Male pace. Ideal Man (Kevin Sizer) was the runner-up with Blue Swimmer A (Roger Plante) the show horse.

Russ and Elaine McKinnon’s River Princess stormed home first for Corey Callahan, one of his two wins, to win a $15,500 Delaware 4&5-Year-Old Mares pace in 1:56.1. Lucy Lou Lynn (Donald Davis) came along the passing late to finish second. Art Sizzles (Eddie Davis Jr.) took third money.

Morgan also steered Greg Simendinger’s Josh’s Z Tam home in 1:54.3 to win a $10,700 Delaware Male pace. Goodnite Booker (Kevin Sizer) took second with race favorite Snickers Hanover (Eddie Davis Jr.) the show finisher.

Eddie Davis Jr. brought home Jeanne McInnis’ 22-1 shot Seebers in 1:53.2 to win a $20,000 Claiming pace. Infinityandbeyond (George Dennis) finished second. Southwind Go Go Go (Sean Bier) was third.

A recent import by owner Joe Muscara, Lady Segil N won for the first time in North America when Tony Morgan steered the daughter of the late exported Earl to a 1:57.1 triumph in an $11,500 feature trot. Smokin Not Choken (Corey Callahan) was the second finisher with Goodbye Daddy (Brandon Givens) third.

Roger Plante, a three-time winner during the card, drove both ends of the daily double. Carol and Jim Atkinson’s DI Blast won the 1st trotting a 1:59.1 mile. Murat Farms’ Gotta Have Soul completed the 3-3 double with a 1:57. decision in a $7,500 Delaware Mares Claiming Allowance.

Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays.  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 — Allamerican Karnak whizzed to a 1:52.2 victory in the featured pace on Thursday, Feb. 21 at Dover Downs. Pamploma also kept a win streak alive in the top trot, while Tim Tetrick picked up five wins.

Jim Morand moved Allamerican Karnak out of third in front of the grandstand and took the lead at the half, holding off a stalking Coletown USA (Tim Tetrick) the rest of a 1:52.2 mile to win the $16,500 4&5-Year-Old Male pace. It was the Artsplace four-year-old’s third consecutive win of 2008 and fifth in five races dating back to last spring. Dragon’s Blood (Corey Callahan) was the third finisher.

Pamplona continued his rise in the local trotting scene as the six-year-old Malabar Man, owned, trained and driven by Vic Kirby, won his third straight and fifth in six starts this year, a 1:56.1 decision in the $14,000 feature trot. RR’s Caviar (Ross Wolfenden) closed well to finish second in front of Expensive Boy (Tim Curtin).

Doctor Rich made the winner’s circle for the first time this season in an $11,500 Male pace. Jonathan Roberts drove the classy 10-year-old for Alan Pullman and Joe Glickstein beating Cyclone Cully N (Vic Kirby) and Iza Miraculous Guy (Jim Morand), second and third respectively.

Just after the start, an accident marred the race. Apparently Pamper Don N made a misstep and went down sending driver Ross Wolfenden to the track. A short time after the race was completed, Wolfenden got to his feet. He was then taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for observation.

In a $20,000 claiming allowance, Gateway Stable’s Amazing Toy closed between horses to score a 1:52.1 career fastest win, the Western Ideal geldings first in two seasons. Jonathan Roberts drove the 7-1 winner. Wantasmile (Jim Morand) was second with Gin And Vermouth (Tim Tetrick) third.

John Swart and trainer Nick Callahan’s Armbro Beethoven left fast for position and then came between horses in deep stretch to chalk up a 1:52.3 triumph in a $20,000 claimer giving driver Corey Callahan his third win. Village Blizzard finished second. He’s A Real Deal took third money.

Owner-trainer Jason Skinner had two wins.

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

DOVER, DE - Rusty’s Biggie was victorious in the $32,000 Open, Saint Johns Boy won the $25,000 Winners-Over, and Go Sassy Go took $16,000 trot at Dover Downs on a snowy Wednesday (Feb. 20) night. Tim Tetrick had a five-bagger.

In the feature, Rusty’s Biggie moved up on the outside of leader Jake’s Nordic at the three quarters with Stunt Man Hall and George Dennis three-wide before completing the final turn. In the stretch, after urging Rusty’s Biggie into the lead, Tim Tetrick guided the CR Commando gelding to the wire, holding off Stunt Man Hall in a 1:57.3 mile. Jake’s Nordic and Tim Curtin finished third.

The victory was the third of the year in seven starts for the six-year-old owned by Horsemans Financial Agency and Premier Racing Stable. Rusty’s Biggie has now earned $43,825 this year and $174,509 in his career.

Saint Johns Boy took the lead at the start and driver Ross Wolfenden then played follow-the-leader the rest of a convincing 1:58 mile to win the $25,000 Winners-Over trot, the first of two win for trainer Ron Millman. The win was the second of 2008 for the 10-year-old Lindy Lane gelding owned by M&M Harness Racing. Moneyball picked up second money with Mike Cole driving. Breeze Hill Will and Corey Callahan was the show horse.

George Dennis, who drove two winners, rushed Go Sassy Go into the lead at the three quarters and then breezed to a 1:57.1 triumph in a $19,500 conditioned trot. Delbert Cain bred and owns the former DSBF juvenile champion. Laser Lavec (Dylan Davis) was second with Rambo Kandu (Mike Cole) hustling home for third.

Tim Tetrick’s third win came driving Howard Kaufman’s Jessie Hall to a 1:58.1 score in a $16,000 conditioned trot. The seven year-old Conway Hall mare had dropped down in class and proved the best in the field of eight starters. Kennywood (Roger Plante) was second best. Sandys Attitude (Art Stafford Jr.) finished third.

BJ’s Braveheart and Tony Morgan, battled 74-1 shot Night Talker (Jim Morand) almost the length of the stretch before finally getting up in the final strides for a 1:56 victory in a $15,500 4&5-Year-Old Delaware Male pace. Robin and Megan Callahan own the winner setting a lifetime mark in the race. Buffalo Have Wings (Ross Wolfenden) finished third. After the race Morgan withdrew from the rest of his drives due to illness.

Barry and Debra Unger’s Leonard Place notched his second straight win with Jonathan Roberts piloting the four-yea-old gelding to a convincing 1:54 conquest in a $30,000 Claiming Allowance. Dreamluck (Jim Morand) and Suffern’s Z Tam (Mike Cole) were second and third respectively.

Off at 74-1 odds, George Dennis drove Richard Zulick’s In Hot Pursuit HR to a 1:55.4 upset in the $25,000 Claiming Allowance, a race in which four of the starters, but not the winner and second place finisher, were claimed. Fully Exotic (Brandon Givens) was second with Kilkerran Scot (Kevin Sizer) was third.

George Dennis, Ross Wolfenden and Corey Callahan had driving doubles.

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 - Ultimate Bet led from start to finish in 1:53.3 to prove a 25-1 surprise in the $32,000 Mares Open pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday, February 19. Shady Sabrina and Badlands Iron Lady won the $25,000 Mares Winners-Over paces. Unn saw her nine-race win streak snapped and the sport’s leading driver Tony Morgan had a triple.

Sean Bier urged Three Point Acres’ Ultimate Bet into the lead just before the opening panel and the Bettor’s Delight five-year-old was invincible the rest of the 1:53.3 mile. Ideal Weather finished a gritty second for Eric Goodell, coming back in the stretch after testing Ultimate Bet heading to the three quarters and being passed by Dream-A-While until turning for home. Roger Plante rallied Easter Egg Hunt to a third-place finish. Ultimate Bet’s win was her third of the year and was surprisingly overlooked in the wagering after being the favorite in this event last week.

In the first of two $25,000 sub-features, Shady Sabrina, piloted by meet-leading driver Tony Morgan, split horses in deep stretch to win a tight photo finish in 1:54.4. Sweet Lips was second for Roger Plante with Lockes Of Love and Eric Goodell third. The win by Shady Sabrina, a six-year-old by Cam’s Dignity, is the second of the season for Shady Sabrina and owner Lorna Cohen, and the first with trainer Doug Lewis, the former right hand man of Kevin Lare’s successful training operation. Lewis now has haltered three wins in seven starts at the track in recent weeks. He also sent out several winners at the Meadowlands meet.

In the other $25,000 Mares section, Eddie Davis Jr. sat patiently second driving Badlands Iron Lady as front-pacing Yada Yada Yada A with Ross Wolfenden and Bikini Bottom and Eric Goodell raced head-to-head midway through the stretch. Badlands Iron Lady then scooted along the passing lane to get up in 1:53.4 for owner Only Money inc. Yada Yada Yada A held on for second with Bikini Bottom getting third. Trained by Tim Torbert, Badlands Iron Lady posted her second victory of the year. The Badlands Hanover five-year-old upped her seasonal earnings to $28,600 and $229,305 lifetime.

Tony Morgan also guided Joyce Keeler’s Make Amends to her second success this year added to three second-place finishes. Angels And Me (Jim King) was second in front of Painted Lady K (Brewer Adams). The win was the 14th of the meet for unsung trainer Vic Keeler II, He has started only 28 horses with half of them making the winner’s circle.

Feel The Pulse drew clear on the final turn and then held off fast finishing Mapua Magic N (Corey Callahan) in the final strides for a 1:54.2 conquest in A $20,000-$25,000 Mares Claiming Allowance. Housewifes Delight (George Dennis) was third. Eric Goodell drove the winner for meet leading trainer Josh Green and owners Ellis Freedman and Nathan Epstein.

Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker DeMorrio Williams and Teague Inc.’s Firiel Hanover recorded a 1:54.1 triumph in a $16,000 Mares pace with Jim Morand in the bike. Rafaella Seelster (Tony Morgan) was runner-up. Alberts Drifter N (Bret Brittingham) was the show horse. The win was the second of the day for owner-trainer Teague and Morand.

Sixteen Candles, owned in part by trainer Bob Kinsey and William Oberle Jr. came three-wide around the final turn and withstood West Coast Arturo (Jonathan Roberts), second, and Ain’t Goin Back (Ben Stafford Jr.) third, in the stretch for a 1:54.3 victory.

A 1:55.1 victory by Nick Callahan’s TJ’s Molly May handed Unn (George Dennis), her first setback after nine-straight wins. Corey Callahan steered the second win in a row for the Park Place mare. Prettyasapageant (Jonathan Roberts) closed with a rush to take second. Unn had to settle for 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

DOVER, Del. - Sharky Osborne required an overland journey on the way to a 1:52.3 victory in the President’s Day $40,000 Preferred Pace feature over a track rated as “good” at Dover Downs on Monday, Feb. 18. Thin Blue Line and Home Run Hudson post supporting wins. Brian Sears drives five wins.

With meet leading driver Tony Morgan at the controls, Sharky Osborne raced on the outside for more than a half mile before steaming home in: 27.1 to edge front pacing Immortal Quest N at the wire by a head in the week’s top pace. Eddie Davis Jr. got the sharp Immortal Quest away to the front early and cut the fractions until the final steps. Dave Panlone with Brian Sears raced first over and had to settle for third beaten 1-1/4 lengths. The victory, the fourth of the meet, for Sharky Osborne lifted his seasonal earnings to $58,350 for owners Gary Minner and Pete Richardson, and $425,659 lifetime.

In the $37,500 Delaware Special, Thin Blue Line made the winner’s circle for the first time this year as Yannick Gingras took the former Michigan champion to the lead at the start and led the mile in a 1:52.4 victory for owners Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing. Art Director, with Brian Sears, stalked the winner from the start finishing a half-length off at the wire. Wardog Hall, handled by Andy Miller, finished third.

Eric Goodell steered Patchel Family Stable’s Home Run Hudson to a strong 1:51.3 clocking in a $32,000 Open pace. Winbak Speed with Brandon Givens was runner-up. PH Top Dog and Yannick Gingras was the third place finisher. It was one of two wins for meet leading trainer Josh Green.

The front end held up in the $28,000 Jr. Open pace. Yannick Gingras and Still Chugging rolled past Glass Pack and Brian Sears to take the lead after the opening quarter and then played follow-the-leader the rest of the way in a 1:52.2 triumph. Trained by the sport’s leading conditioner the last two seasons and again the 2008 leader Mickey Burke, Still Chugging is owned by Sylvia Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and M1 Stable. The Artsplace gelding had won two straight at the Meadows before arriving at Dover in early February. Golden Mattjesty was scratched.

Carter Racing Stable and trainer Bobby Myers’ Victor Vuitton N won one with Brian Sears. The New Zealand-bred son of Dream Away sat near the front until the stretch before winning a three-horse photo finish. Michael Jacob with Eric Goodell was a nose back in second with Brave Call and Corey Callahan another nose from victory.

In addition to Brian Sears’ five wins, Yannick Gingras, Eric Goodell and Andy Miller had driving doubles.

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

(edited 19 February 2008 at 21.36. Forgot the by-line. Sorry Marv! -jw)

DOVER, Del— Immortal Quest N and Sniper Hall with two-race win streaks and Winbak Speed, a winner of three in a row lead the $40,000 Preferred Handicap, $37,500 Delaware Special and Open pace respectively on the giant Monday, Feb. 18 card at Dover Downs.

Immortal Quest N, co-owned by Carter Racing and trainer Bobby Myers, moves up to the $40,000 feature after winning the Delaware Special and last week’s Open with Tim Tetrick driving. Prince Of Luck and Brandon Givens finished second last Monday for Bonnie Allen and Brenda Harper with Sharky Osborne, owned by Gary Minner and Pete Richardson the third place finisher. Tony Morgan will drive. Ron Mario’s RJ’s Wild Card and Ron Pierce, second two weeks ago, returns after a week off. The other starters are Fox Valley Armor with Yannick Gingras driving for Sylvia Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, from the rail, and Brian Sears steering Dave Panlone for Jim Stambaugh and Milt Leeman.

The $37,500 Delaware Special has two starters seeking to continue his winning ways with Tony Morgan in the bike. Lauren Allen and Foulk Stables’ Sniper Hall and Jim Neal’s Fountain Of Youth with Ross Wolfenden. Kovach Stables’ Art Director and Brian Sears has been sharp of late as has Klondike Kid, racing for Fred Hertrich, Brooks Stables and Green Racing with Eric Goodell driving.

Neil Gargiulo and trainer Wayne Givens’ Winbak Speed moves up after winning the Jr. Open last week. Two of the eight starters drop down from the Preferred ranks, Test Flight and Andy Miller from the rail and Jerome Voldock’s PH Top Dog driven by Yannick Gingras.

Larry Baron’s Toucam Sam, piloted by Ron Pierce, steps up to the $28,000 Jr. Open while Victor Vuitton N with Tim Tetrick for owners Bobby Myers and Carter Racing, in one of the $25,000 Winners-Over paces with Mildred Ventriglio’s Quick And Deadly and Tony Morgan, PT Stable’s Paisan Hall teamed with Brian Hall and Boy Oh Boy Stable Too’s Marchand leads the other division.

In addition, two $20,000 Male pace top a strong undercard.

Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs live racing is dark Fridays. Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. The 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 – Racing Naked [$5.80, $2.60, $2.10] paced wire-to-wire in the $6,000 Open pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday evening, winning by a length in 1:54.1.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Gen-U-Wine Raider [$4.20, $2.20, $2.10] easily won the featured pace for fillies and mares at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday as the even-money favorite.

Driven by Frank Milby for trainer Thomas Swann, the seven-year-old Keystone Raider mare quarter-poled for the lead after an opening tick of 28.3. Milby guided Gen-U-Wine Raider through middle fractions of 57.4 and 1:26.0 to win by half of a length in 1:55.2. The mare, racing for owners Julie and Lois Swann, upped her lifetime earnings to over $117,000 with this victory.

You Diehl [$2.60, $3.80] finished second with a first-over bid after the half. Making up nearly three lengths through the back half of the mile with Donnie Russell at her lines, the five-year-old Western Ideal mare was sharp in the stretch at 2/1 odds. Ron MacArthur trains and co-owns the mare with Richard Smith.

Third in the $140.00 trifecta were Storm Mist [$11.80] and driver Charlie Robbins, an upset at 36/1 odds by post time. The seven-year-old Start The Fire mare, co-owned by Robbins and his wife Rose, paced a strong second-over mile to hit the board. Betsy Brown trains Storm Mist.

OPEN PACE HIGHLIGHTS SATURDAY CARD

Coming off of a win, Racing Naked is set to open as the 5/2 morning line favorite in the $6,000 Open pace at Rosecroft Raceway tonight.

Trained by John Sumner for owner William Camp Jr., the eight-year-old Misfit horse wired a challenging field on February 2nd at Rosecroft, winning by over four lengths. Frank Milby is set to drive, and the pair will leave the gate from post position three.

Dixie Pride is also returning after a win, and is another to consider at 3/1 early odds from post four. The seven-year-old Real Artist horse, racing for the Offutt connections, topped a non-winners field on February 2nd by over nine lengths in 1:54.0 after coming from 13 lengths off of the leader at the opening quarter.

Weiss Hanover (Donnie Russell, 9/2) will start from the rail after notching two consecutive victories; the five-year-old Western Hanover horse has been showing increasing improvement each week. Trainer Donnie Russell will drive for owner Edward Needle.

No Wishes (Corey Braden, 5/1), Samsliptoneldorado (Kelly Staten, 5/1) and SA Monterosa (John Wagner, 9/2) complete the field.

Post time for tonight’s 11-race card is 6:30 p.m.

–Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

By Pete Medhurst, Track Announcer at Rosecroft Raceway

It’s only February, but there are some eye-catching stats so far in this 2008 harness racing season.

Brian Sears is trying to destroy the Meadowlands. He has a 64-37 lead over George Brennan in the driver standings. That leads us to Brennan. The 40-year-old is off to a great start and is not only winning now on the lead, we’re seeing some more well judged trips and that will keep Brennan in
high demand come stakes time.

Did you know Eric Goodell has more Big M wins than John Campbell this season, 15-12? He does have 47 more drives than the Hall of Famer.

Twenty-two different drivers have won races at the Meadowlands in 2008, including Bob Colasanti and John Plutino. Someone find Joe Schwind.

At Dover, its still Tony Morgan setting the pace, but one of the young guns of the sport is setting off one what could be his best year by far. Corey Callahan is the top fifteen in dash wins and earnings, already over
$600,000. We talk about the Dominican Republic turning out a lot of baseball players, how about Cordova, Maryland turning out horsemen talent. Callahan, Frank Milby, and trainer Brian Callahan all hail from the small Talbot County town.

Did you know Callahan and Mid-Atlantic driver Victor Kirby are both college graduates? If Kirby asks you to play H-O-R-S-E for money, tell him no. He was an outstanding point guard at Marymount University.

Stat of the year so far: Dave Palone batting .500!!!!! Now with slots, Palone might actually get rich. Palone is a classy guy and the king of my all-interview team. Palone, John Campbell, Kirby, Callahan, and Jonathan Roberts. Best trainer interview: Jeff Long.

DOVER, Del. — Big Heart appropriately won the Valentine’s Day feature at Dover Downs on Thursday, Feb. 14. Meet leading driver Tony Morgan, Corey Callahan and George Dennis each won three races.

With Jim Morand in the bike, the Teague Inc. homebred son of Badlands Hanover made it three consecutive wins this season winning the $12,500 4&5-Year-Old Male pace in 1:54.1. Delmer (Tony Morgan) shook free turning for home and closed strongly to finish second. Good Sport (George Dennis) was third.

George Dennis was red hot driving three winners including Vincent Bradley Stable’s Fifth Wave in a come-from-behind 1:53.1 triumph to win a $16,000 Male pace for young horses. Tufson Beach (Mike Cole) was runner-up in front of Cathedral Grove (Corey Callahan).

Trainer Dan Murray posted a double when Jonathan Roberts steered Leonard Place to a 1:52.3 win in a $25,000 Claiming pace for owners Barry and Debra Unger. Intimidator Three (Roger Plante) took second money. Mako Sica (Jim King) was the show finisher.

Tony Morgan drove Dave Carmichael’s Osprey Ridge to a 1:54.3 victory in an $11,500 Male pace. Miraculous Guy (Eddie Davis Jr.), off at 54-1, was second in front of Architect (Mike Cole).

Vince Catania, Woody and trainer Shane Long’s Pride And Luck, another of George Dennis’ wins, came in a 1:56.4 score in a $10,200 Delaware 4&5-Year-Oid Male pace. Roan Shark (Mike Cole) and Captured Dream (Jonathan Roberts) finished second and third respectively.

Dennis also directed trainer Dan Murray’s Pegasus Osborne to a four-horse photo finish victory in a $20,000 Claiming Allowance. To Much Fun (Corey Callahan) was a head back in second with Art Carney (Jim Morand) nipping No Fuel Required (Mike Cole) for third.

Northern Scholar and Tony Morgan were placed first in a second $30,000 claimer when Bo Knows Trouble (Jason Lynch) was disqualified for interference and placed third behind Cloudy Heights N (Corey Callahan).

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

–Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs