Immortal Quest takes Dover Preferred
DOVER, DE — Immortal Quest wins $40,000 Handicap again, Mr. Apples romped in the $37,500 Delaware Special while Richard Henry N had just enough to win the $28,000 Jr. Open, the St. Patrick’s day headliners, at Dover Downs on Monday, March 17.
In the week’s top pace, the $40,000 Open-Preferred Handicap, Eddie Davis Jr. hustled Immortal Quest N away from the gait quickly to ward off Western Ace and Jim Morand for the lead and then cut out the rest of the fractions on the way to an impressive 1:51.2 victory. The win was the third in four starts and fifth in his last seven outings for the Sands A Flyin gelding owned by Carter Racing Stable and trainer Bobby Myers. Dave Panlone shadowed the winner from the start and David Miller drove him to a second-place finish. Fox Valley Armor and Yannick Gingras closed fast to finish third. The victory pushed Immortal Quest N’s earnings since Jan. 1 to $111,470.
Teague Inc.’s Mr. Apples took no prisoners en route to a 1:51.1 front pacing victory in the $37,500 Delaware Special. It was the fourth win of the season and second in his last three in this event with Jim Morand handling the reins. Thin Blue Line and Yannick Gingras came on to finish second in front of Art Director and Brian Sears. The win boosted Mr. Apples’ earnings to $113,575 for his 10 seasonal races.
In the $28,000 Jr. Open pace, WJ McDougall’s Richard Henry N battled Chewy Gross and Eric Goodell to the finish line in 1:51.3 with David Miller driving the winner. PH Top teamed with Yannick Gingras to finish third. .
Eoos, owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, responded to Brian Sears urging to win a $24,000 Winners-Over pace in 1:51.4. Marchand and Ross Wolfenden closed with a rush for place in front of Art’s Son and Tim Tetrick.
Dylan Davis’ owned and trained Kass Hall notched a 1:51.1 score in a $23,000 Winners-Over pace. It was the Blissfull Hall four-year-old’s second straight win and fourth in his last five starts. Northern Scholar finished second for Brandon Givens while Eric Goodell drove Heavenly Flight to a third.
Village Blitz made the winner’s circle for the first time this year as Eric Goodell sent the Village Jiffy gelding along the passing lane to score a 1:53.1 victory in a $21,000 Male pace. White Hot Cards raced the last three quarters first over for Ron Pierce and held on for second overtaking Dream Rocket and Tony Morgan in the stretch.
In a second $21,000 section, Yannick Gingras took Tamara Williams’ Whistle Bear right to the front and the Armbro Operative gelding was never headed in a 1:52.3 performance. Uncle Bingo took a shot at the leader on the final turn but could no closer than a length at the wire. Maximum Viking and Jim Morand were third.
Tim Tetrick, Brain Sears and David Miller each drove three winners each while Yannick Gingras had two wins. Dylan Davis and Chuck Crissman posted training doubles while Three Point Acres had two owner wins.
Live racing now begins at 5:30 p.m., Saturday through Thursday with Friday, a dark day. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.
– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs