When two trotters with a recent winning resume met at Dover Downs, Anders Bluestone came out on top posting a 1:54 triumph in this week’s $23,000 Open Handicap, on a chilly Wednesday, January 2.
Green Day put a three-race win streak on the line while Anders Bluestone made his first Dover appearance since consecutive early November wins at the track. Driver Ross Wolfenden steered Anders Bluestone to his 37th lifetime victory. Humanitarian Ken Wood, currently in West Africa digging wells in Ghana and Tanzania, and Bill Dittmar, own the now seven-year-old handsome son of Yankee Glide and Annette Hanover. Conditioned by Eric Ell, Anders Bluestone is now on the verge of becoming a $1-million winner with $986,025 in earnings. Gurf (Allan Davis) closed strongly from far back to finish second in front of early leader Green Day (Corey Callahan).
In the $16,500 Winners Over Trot sub-feature, Daryl Bier drove Richard Pollucci’s Sun Of A Victory, an altered son of Victory Sam-Well Connected, into an early lead and never was contested on the way to a 1:55.2 victory, his 29th career trip to the winner’s circle. Kodak Lindy (Montrell Teague) came on to take second edging Mandabra (Corey Callahan).
Can Do, did it, getting up for Vic Kirby to win a $13,500 4&5-Year-Old trot in a lifetime-best 1:55.1. Chris Giaccio and Kirby own the recently acquired Cantab Hall-Meadowbranch Queen gelding. Joyeux Dream (Corey Callahan) was next with Wonder Buns (Jim Morand) third.
Eric Carlson took the lead with Trojan Horse in another $13,500 trot to win his second straight, turning back seven rivals in 1:55.4 for meet-leading trainer Mike Hall of the Doug Lewis Stable. The Muscles Yankee-Shops For Dresses gelding is owned by Dave Sheib, Claim To Fame, and Allen and Ira Kaplan. Allmar Surprise (Vic Kirby) was runner-up with Outlaw (Corey Callahan) the show finisher.
(With files from Dover Downs)