Nike Franco N stepped out of the distaff ranks to beat the top pacers in Thursday’s $30,000 Preferred Handicap at Dover Downs while Sicily held off the opposition to take the $27,500 Delaware Special.

Driver Tim Tetrick sent Nike Franco N out of fourth along the passing lane to reach to finish line first in a personal best 1:51 to win her third in-a-row since leaving New Zealand.

Ideal Cowboy cut out some of the early lead fractions for Vic Kirby and also closed on the inside to just miss victory finishing second. Bettors Edge came on strongly on the outside for Yannick Gingras for third place. Dancin Yankee (Cory Callahan) led turning for home was in the win photo but had to settle for fourth place.

Owner Rich Poillucci purchased Nike Franco N and didn’t race her until mid-October. In three starts versus female rivals the North American-style bred Mcardle-Nearea Franco six-year-old overwhelmed her opponents. Trainer Jim King was forced to move her to the top class event. In intercontinental races, Nike Franco N has now won $135,429 this year and $365,243 in her career.

Allan Davis recorded his third win on the card piloting Sicily, an Art Major-Capri Hanover four-year-old gelding, to victory in 1:51.3 in the $27,500 Delaware Special edging the fast-finishing veteran Mustang Art (Sean Bier) and front-pacing Remember Me VK (Montrell Teague) at the wire.

It also was the third win for trainer Wayne Givens and second for owners Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing.

(With files from Dover Downs)