Rusty’s Biggie repeats in Dover trot
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