I Like My Boss did it again, beating the top trotters at the track with a speedy victory in the $21,000 Open/Handicap trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
The all-Delaware bred I Like My Boss made his first 2016 start a memorable one, scoring in a lifetime best 1:53 in the top trot of the week. With regular driver George Dennis at the controls, the now five-year-old altered son of Don Boss Vita-Wild One turned back veteran Tough Mac (Corey Callahan) for his 25th lifetime win in 51 races for owner-trainer Bob Shahan, his breeder with grandchildren Jimmy and Ashley Parsons. I Like My Boss has now won $340,180. Tough Mac held on for second with Indiana stakes winner Bluebird Reverend (Montrell Teague) third.
The sub-feature $15,000 Four- and Five-Year-Old trot was won by Drinksforthehouse, guided by Corey Callahan. Despite post 8, the four-year-old Conway Hall-Pacific Photo gelding won his second in a row for trainer John Cabot and recent owners Howard and Josh Kaufman. Lighter Hanover (Vince Copeland) won the battle for second edging Machuca (Allan Davis).
The sterling-bred Ragazzo Dolce re-enforced his title as ‘king of the claiming trotters” recording his seventh straight victory, as Jim Morand pulled the Muscles Yankee-Bella Dolce five-year-old gelding out of third on the final turn and blew away his rivals for a 1:56 victory in a $15,000-$20,000 Claiming Handicap. It was his 14 career win in 52 assignments and lifted his all-time earnings to $113,855. Ronan (Tony Morgan) came on to finish second. Early leader Brew Master (Teague) held on for third.
Strong-finishing Ashes Cash was best in the stretch in a $12,000 trot, chalking up a 1:54.2 victory for owner-trainer Leigh Raymer of the Tyler Raymer Stable and driver Corey Callahan picking up the third of four winners. Hemi Seelster (Brett Miller) was right there second in front of Five Towns (G. Dennis). An eight-year-old gelding owned by David Miller, Ashes Cash (Cash Hall-Ashameg) won for the 26th time in his career and now has earned $182,560 lifetime.
The other $12,000 trot went to Providence West’s Odessa, a 1:58.1 winner for drover Justin Vincent and trainer Kim Vincent. The win was the second straight for the Crown Prince Gar-Current Yield gelding. Phantom Rusty (Jonathan Roberts) was runner-up with Simply Sassy (Morgan) the show finisher.
GIANT SCULPTURE, BLACK AQUILA A HEAD THURSDAY FEATURE
Giant Sculpture, Black Aquila A and Rock N Roll Jet lead nine to post in the Thursday, Jan. 7 feature at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
Bill Emmons’ Giant Sculpture has been racing well against the top claiming pacers at the track and now drops back into the conditioned ranks with Allan Davis holding the lines. Breakway Racing and Bonuccelli Racing’s Black Aquila A, with Corey Callahan, drops down in class while Dawn Webb and trainer Buddy Bright’s Rock N Roll Jet, a winner last start with Art Stafford Jr., steps up a notch. Frank Chick’s recently acquired Savannah Splendor and George Dennis should be a factor.
Pierce, owned by Engel Stable and Nick Surick Stable, gets a good post with Marcus Miller in the bike. Leslie Betts’ well-bred Teresas Beach makes his first start in 2016 and starts from post 1. Owner-trainer Bill Moffett’s Leyden and Ross Wolfenden must overcome starting from post 8. Steve Warrington’s homebred Rebel Soldier driven by Jim Morand and Steve Good’s Ts Electric has been racing well at Rosecroft. Jonathan Roberts will drive.
Dover Downs now features a $5,000 Pick-4 daily.
(with files from Dover)