Vertical Horizon was strong in the stretch to win the $35,000 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Preferred pace while Nova Artist and Cams Art racked up their sixth wins in a row
on Monday at Dover Downs.
In the $35,000 feature, Vertical Horizon, the beaten favourite last week, made up at 10-1 to win the top pace of the week with Tim Tetrick at the controls. The five-year-old, who is owned by KDM Stables, closed with a rush to beat fast-finishing Three Of Spades (Jon Roberts) and Jeremys Successor (Sean Bier) to the finish line. Riggins had led from the start but tired in the late going.
The win raised the bankroll of Vertical Horizon, a son of Western Ideal-Summer Mystery trained by Nick Surick, to $674,514.
The program also saw a pair of strong Delaware family connections continue lengthening win streaks.
Nova Artist, driven by Allan Davis and trained by his brother, Martin, for owners Eddie and Kathy Davis, their parents, made it six-wins in a row. Last at the half in a nine-horse field, Nova Artist moved up on the outside and at the three-quarters was three-wide going for the lead. After completing the final turn, the Real Artist-Avon Lady four-year-old vaulted four wide down the lane and rolled past the leaders to win easily in 1:52.2. Solano (Corey Callahan) came on strongly to finish second. Idealic Life (Tim Tetrick) took show honours. Nova Artist now has won $341, 481 in his career.
In a $17,500 conditioned pace, the streaking Cams Art also won for the sixth consecutive week. Vic Kirby catch drove the Delaware-sired, bred and owned son of Cams Fortune-My Foolish Art for owners Morgan and Jeanne McInnis and for trainer Ryan McInnis. After losing his first start of the meet, Cams Art has won each of his last six in easy manner. Main A Dieu Too (George Dennis) was runner-up. Cannae Sonny (Tin Tetrick) was the show horse.
(Dover Downs)