JM Vangogh added another $13,000 to his substantial career bankroll scoring a 1:56 victory in the $26,000 Open/Handicap trot on Wednesday, February 17 at Dover Downs

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Tony Morgan left quickly to get the lead as the select field of six sped from the starting gate. The 10-year-old $2.2-million winning son of Earl-Queen Tut then cut out all the fraction on the way to his second win in five starts this year for owners Wilma and trainer Paul Chambers. Race-favourite Looking Hanover and co-owner, driver Yannick Gingras got away last before moving out on the backstretch to fourth at the three-quarters. He was second 3-lengths off the leader on the final turn. As the trotters headed for home, Looking Hanover closed strongly but finished a half-length behind JM Vangogh at the wire. Up Down N Around, with Daryl Bier, took third.

The $18,000 sub-feature trot went a tick of the clock fastest than the feature when Joey The Jet JT closed with a rush to score a 1:55.4 victory, the third of four for Ross Wolfenden. Owned by Ken Wood and Bill Dittmar, the Wesgate Crown-NV Becky gelding sat third until reaching the last turn before coming to the outside and dashed to his first win of the New Year for trainer Eric Ell. DC Northern came on to finish second with Chosen Voyageur (Corey Callahan), the early leader, third.

Alton Lynch Sr.'s Village Blast streaked to a 1:54.2 triumph in the top-claiming race of the day, a $20,000 Male claimer. Eric Goodell picked up his second win guiding the Mike Hall-trained Mach Three-Black Ice gelding to his initial win of the year after consecutive seconds. Veteran Corporate Rrraider (Mike Cole) closed along the passing lane to finish second in front of Big League Yankee (Corey Callahan).

(Dover Downs)