Nidya highlights five-bagger for Goodell at Dover
DOVER, DE — Eric Goodell steered Nidya A, overlooked at 12-1, to one of his five wins taking the $32,000 Mares Open at Dover Downs on Tuesday, March 18. Fionavar Hanover won the sub-feature $25,000 Mares Winners-Over while Ball Gown A won the $23,000 distaff division.
Eric Goodell found room along the passing lane to outstep leader Ultimate Bet and Sean Bier to the finish line in 1:52.2 to take the week’s top distaff event. It was Goodell’s third of a four-win night. Paul McDougall Racing and WJ McDougall Racing own the Down Under-bred daughter of Albert Albert. Ultimate Bet held on for second. Ireneonthemove, driven by Tony Morgan, took the show spot. Nidya A won for the second time this year with three seconds and three thirds in 10 races. She has now banked $62,550 in 2008.
Fionarvar Hanover, a race favorite in her previous two races, came on strongly at 6-1 for Corey Callahan’s third win of the night, to score a 1:53.1 win in a $25,000 distaff pace. It was the third win of the year for The Panderosa five-year-old owned by Sylvia Burke, Frank Baldachino and Howard Taylor. Tug River Aussie closed well for Jonathan Roberts to finish second. Lockes Of Love and Tony Morgan were third.
Ball Gown A notched her first win of the year in his second appearance as Eric Goodell guided the Presidential Ball seven-year-old to victory in 1:53.4 to win a $23,000 Mares Winners-Over pace. Flirtwithedealer took second with Tony Morgan. Millwood Ashley N, piloted by Brandon Givens was the third finisher.
Tony Morgan steered Constance Moore and Green Racing’s Honeyland to victory in 1:54.1 edging sharp Mapua Magic (Tim Tetrick) in a 1:54.1 photo to win a $16,500 Mares pace. Camturo (Eric Goodell) was the show finisher.
In a second $16,500 division, Eric Goodell teamed with Debbie Avery’s Play At Wynn for a 1:54.1 triumph, her third victory of the season. Unn (Kevin Sizer) cut out the early pace and held on for second. Nono Yezz Rusty (Ross Wolfenden) took third honors.
Two heads separated the first three finishers as Eric Goodell completed a five-win performance driving Adam Friedland’s Witch Trials to a 1:54.2 victory in a $14,500 Mares pace. Besmitten By A Vet (Tim Curtin) led from the start until the final strides. In The Mist N (Frank Milby) close along the passing lane for third.
In an $11,000 Mares pace, Rich and Pat Arndt’s Rafaella Seelster breezed to an early huge lead and waltzed home a 1:54 winner for meet-leading driver Tony Morgan. Gangsta Lady (Kevin Sizer) was 5-lengths back in second with Kim Crawford N (Frank Milby) the third finisher.
Cosmo Madness, one of Corey Callahan driving triple, scored her fourth win in a row racking up a 1:54.4 victory in a $10,000 4&5-Year-Old Mares pace. Trainer Deweese and Emma Butler owned the Three Olives sophomore. Emma Rose Ben (Tony Morgan) and Blissfull Lil (Joe Sullivan) were second and third.
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