Eddie Davis Jr. driving Papa Ray followed the flow until reaching the stretch and then pulled out and flew by the leaders for a 1:51.2 victory in Thursday’s $25,000 Delaware Special at Dover Downs.
Bandolino scampered away to take command after leaving the starting gate and Daryl Bier kept him there through early fractions. Heading to the far turn Allan Davis turned last week’s winner, Nova Artist, loose from fourth and moved up to challenge. In the lane it appeared a free-for-all with contenders stacking up with ultra-consistent Papa Ray coming fastest of all for a decisive victory, his sixth of the year. Just A Jolt was best of the rest finishing second with Vic Kirby in the bike. Ron Pierce and Simon’s Artist made up a lot of ground to finish third with Nova Artist fourth.
Wayne Givens conditions the Village Jolt-Liamatters five-year-old for Reg Hazzard II and Delaware’s Legacy Racing. Papa Ray has now won $119,570 in 2014 and $342,828 in his career.
Dont Ya Know won the $16,000 Open Pace for the second straight week. George Dennis teamed with trainer Jason Skinner’s Western Ideal-Caviart Vegas four-year-old gelding for a 1:52 triumph. Only The Lonely (Ron Pierce) was second. People Are Crazy (Trace Tetrick) was placed third replacing the disqualified A Sweet Ride (Kirby).
Joan Dalphon and Elanor Laws own the winner of six races and $62,316 this season and $205,965 lifetime.
(Dover Downs)