Ontario-bred Traverse Seelster had to take the long route on the way to his second straight $20,000 Open/Handicap Trot win on a chilly Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Dover Downs.

Corey Callahan pulled Traverse Seelster to the outside in front of the grandstand and steadily advanced chasing the leader, Modern Family and Daryl Bier, who had a big lead heading to the final turn. Callahan was able to duck in second for a short stretch before coming out to challenge Modern Family in a stretch duel, which resulted in Traverse Seelster getting up to win by half a length in 1:53.

Keith Pippi owns the Angus Hall-Tavelin Lavec gelding, who won for the 23rd time in his career while building up a $432,061 bankroll.

Modern Family held on for second. Awsome Valley and Tony Morgan closed well to finish third.

In a $15,500 Winners Over Trot, Backstreet Hanover made his first appearance at Dover Downs a winning one. Eric Carlson drove the Allan Johnson-trained six-year-old Andover Hall-Bye Bye Kerry mare to an impressive 1:54.1 triumph. The win for the David Hamm-owned lass was her third in the last four trips and fourth in her last six starts. A 16-race career winner, Backstreet Hanover has now earned $290,950 lifetime.

Pounce Hanover gave driver Vic Kirby his fourth victory, scoring a 1:54 win in a $15,000 4&5-Year-Old Winners Over Trot. Kirby also trains the winner for ownership partners Mike Hill and Chris Giaccio. Since the four-year-old altered son of Majestic Son-Playwood Donerail moved into the Kirby stable, he has earned three wins and three seconds in six races.

Former Dover Downs champion Tim Tetrick celebrated getting an OK from his doctor to return to driving by watching Line Item, a trotter he owns with trainer Jim King, make the winner’s circle after a 1:56 victory in an $11,500 4&5-Year-Old Trot.

Vic Kirby led all drivers with four wins. Corey Callahan, Ross Wolfenden, owner-trainer Joe Hundertfund had three winners. Trainer Leigh Raymer had a double.

There is no live racing on Friday, Saturday and Super Bowl Sunday. Live racing resumes on Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m

(With files from Dover Downs)