Sub-1:50 miles aren’t something you see a lot of in the month of November, but two horses found themselves winning in that range during Thursday’s card of racing at Dover Downs.
Nova Artist won the $27,500 Delaware Special with a convincing 1:49.2 triumph, while Valentino won a $15,000 Male Winners-Over pace in 1:49.4.
On the heels of a come-from-behind 1:51.2 victory last week, Nova Artist, reined by Allan Davis, took the lead after a:26.2 opening quarter and then was never challenged winning for the eighth time this year. Mustang Art finished second with Eagle All third. Nova Artist brings his seasonal earnings to $149,850 for owners Eddie and Kathy Davis. The Real Artist-Avon Lady six-year-old has won 30 times banked $752,167 lifetime.
In the first of three $15,000 Male Winners-Over paces, driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Nick Surick teamed up for a 1:49.4 victory as KDM Stable’s Valentino, a brown six-year-old by Rocknroll Hanover-Schoolofcardknocks horse won for the third time in eight races this season. Adventure Bound raced gamely and finished second. Once escaping from being locked in, Rock On Moe closed to be third.
This Sunday, all eight Matron stakes, help make the card the highest in Delaware history
(Dover Downs)