Winning races is something that Come Together has truly mastered the art of, and his triumph on Thursday at Dover Downs extended his current winning streak to 10 in a row for trainer Michael Hall.
Since last Fall, it has really Come Together for the Artsplace-Pleasantville seven-year-old gelding. His tenth win was exceptional considering he spent most of the mile on the outside before getting up for the 1:52.1 decision for driver Corey Callahan.
The Mike Hall pupil got away third before going first-over against Lightning Moon who threw down first-half fractions of :26.4 and :54.4. Lightning Moon was a head better than Come Together at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.3, but Come Together dug in over the final quarter and used a :28.3 final frame to win by a half-length margin over Tampa Bay Escape in 1:52.1. Third best in the eight-horse affair was Fissato.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Come Together won for the fourth time this season for the partnership of Kent Harper and the Claim To Fame LLC of Frankford, DE. The 19-time winner has banked $172,935 to date.
Nova Artist used off-the-pace tactics to secure a 1:51.3 victory in the featured $30,000 Delaware Special Handicap for the duo of driver Allan Davis and trainer Martin Davis. The six-year-old son of Real Artist-Avon Lady sat fifth for the first three-quarters of the contest before firing home in :27.4 and winning by a length over Dirty Devil. Rustys All In rounded out the top three finishers.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice in the six-horse affair, Nova Artist won for the first time this season and for the 23rd time in his career. The career winner of $629,717 is owned by Howard and Kathleen Davis of Smyrna, DE.
(With files from Dover Downs)