Paradise Lost Upsets Dover Distaffers

Published: December 15, 2015 09:55 pm EST

Paradise Lost, overlooked at 34-1 after a victory last Tuesday, stormed from far back to win the $21,000 Mares Open Handicap in 1:52.1 on a longshot-filled Tuesday, Dec. 15 card at Dover Downs.

While Fashion Showdown (Ross Wolfenden) and Double Joy (Jim Morand) were battling on the front, Montrell Teague edged out from the back with Paradise Lost. On the final turn, still far behind, Teague moved the Artsplace-Loving Ideal eight-year-old into high gear and she rolled on to overtake the leaders and beat Montenegro (Brett Miller) to the wire for her fifth victory of the year. In her return to top form after an injury last Spring, owner/trainer Bob Winkelman has nursed Paradise Lost back for five wins and $48,562 earnings this year.

Elliesjet N made her first start on this side of the Pacific a winning one on Oct. 13 at Harrington Raceway, and the six that followed, including a 1:52.4 wire-to-wire victory in one of two $15,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Filly and Mare Paces. Art Stafford Jr. drove the five-year-old black Jeremes Jet-Elle Mary Rose mare, holding off a strong challenge from Girlofyourdreams, second the entire route, with a :27.2 final panel. In all seven of her U.S. starts, she has had the lead after all quarters. Barry Spedden, Kevin Evans, Nanticoke Racing and trainer Josh Parker own Elliesjet N, a winner of $36,750 since arriving. Who Dat Heather (Allan Davis) finished third.

In the other $15,000 division, George Dennis piloted Fashion Rocker to victory in 1:53.2 for Blake Baker and Leah Messick. The win was the sixth of 2015 for the Rocknroll Hanover-Show Off three-year-old. Mildreds Button was runner-up with Freeding Frenzy (John MacKinnon) third.

Allan Davis led the drivers with four wins. George Dennis had three, Tony Morgan, Corey Callahan, trainer Darrell Lewis and owner Leah Messick had doubles.

The $20,000 Open Trot is the Wednesday feature race. This week, Dover Downs races only Wednesday and Thursday with post time at 4:30 p.m. From Dec. 18 through Dec. 27, it's Dover Downs Christmas Holiday Break. Racing will resume on Monday, Dec. 28.

(With files from Dover Downs)

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