Classic Series opens Monday at Dover
DOVER, DE — Full fields highlight the opening leg of the prestigious Classic Series at Dover Downs on Monday, April 7. The four $85,000 divisions featuring the sport’s finest four-year-old and older trotting and pacing males and females. The post position draw will be available later today.
The largest field is the Classic Distaff with 11 contenders. There are 10 vying in the Trotting Classic and nine distaffs in the $85,000 Classic Oaks. The Pacing Classic boasts the fewest contenders with eight starters.
The $85,000 Pacing Classic has a star-studded field of sharp sidewheelers. In alphabetical order they are: Artistic Fella, Big Business, Casimer Camotion, Manhardt, Mr. Feelgood, Total Truth, Watta Hotshot and Western Ace. Total Truth and Western Ace are coupled as the Teague Inc. entry.
Southwind Tempo, Artcotic, Benear, Captiva Island and Elusive Prey, all with at one time a strong Delaware connection are starters in the $85,000 Classic Distaff. In alphabetical order are: Artcotic, Benear, Captiva Island, Elusive Prey, supplemental entry Enhance the Night, Ideal Weather, My Little Dragon, Southwind Tempo, Spring Break, Stylish Solution and Western Graduate.
Two-time Classic Series champion Vivid Photo is among the participants in the $85,000 Trotting Classic. Alphabetically, the field is make up by A Gentleman, American Lane, CR Dream Catcher, Enough Talk, Flamewalker, Green Day, Instant Photo, JM Vangogh, San Remo Kosmos and Vivid Photo.
Defending champion Buck I St. Pat heads the $85,000 Classic Oaks leg. Alphabetical order the entries are Brigham Dream, Buck I St. Pat, Caress The Senses, Freeze Frame, Lavec Dream, Queen Serene, Snazzy Millie, Speed N The Tunnel and Up Front Hotsey.
The four Classic Series events are part of a giant 15-race program staring the final week of the current Dover Downs meet. Closing day is Thursday, April 10 when the track’s Horse of the Meet will be presents, and leading driver and trainer awards will be rendered to Tony Morgan and Josh Green respectively.
Following Dover Downs’ opening leg next Monday, The Classic Series then moves to Mohawk Raceway, Campbellville, Ont. for the second leg on May 31. The third and last preliminary takes place on July 19 at the Meadowlands, N.J. Classic Series participants must start in a minimum of two of the three preliminary legs - all at a mile distance - to be eligible for $250,000 finals. On Saturday, July 26, The Meadowlands will host the Classic Series finals, all raced over a distance of 1-1/16th mile.
– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs