Major Occasion A dug in late to prevail over Soho Burning Love A in the $20,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Wednesday night (Nov. 11) at Dover Downs.

Major Occasion A and driver Dexter Dunn left from post 6 in the scratch-reduced field of seven, but had to wait for clearance as four of their rivals left for early positioning through a :26 quarter that saw Artrageous (Art Stafford Jr.) gain control from the rail. Nearing the :55.2 half, Soho Burning Love A (Tim Tetrick) pulled from sixth and flushed Major Occasion out to lead the outer tier.

Major Occasion A cleared Artrageous midway up the backstretch, but pressure came quickly from 3-5 favourite Soho Burning Love A nearing three-quarters in 1:22.2. Major Occasion dug in through the stretch to win by a half length in 1:51.2 as the 5-2 second choice. Soho Burning Love A was a game second; Moments Of Joy (Victor Kirby) finished third.

Trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman's Enzed Racing Stable owns Major Occasion A, a six-year-old daughter of Art Major.

Tetrick led all drivers with five wins on the card.

Four divisions of the Matron Stakes for three-year-olds lead the Thursday (Nov. 12) card at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

(with files from Dover Downs)