Tough Mac, one of last season’s top trotters at Dover Downs, romped to an easy 1:52.3 lifetime fastest victory in the first $20,000 Open Handicap of the meet.
Trained by last meet’s leader, Dylan Davis, and driven by perennial champion Corey Callahan, the six-year-old altered son of Lockkeeper-Traditional Lady owned by Mike Casalino recorded his ninth win of the season and moved into the six-figure column now earning $107,855 this year, and $238,129 lifetime.
Callahan rolled away to a :26.3 first quarter lead aboard Tough Mac and never looked back, pulling away to an easy victory with with a :28.2 final panel. Winbak Charles M (Allan Davis) closed fast to nip Spunky Jack (Roger Plante) by a long nose for second.
In the $15,000 semi-feature trot, Adrenalin Junkie won the photo finish in 1:57.4 to take the $15,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Trot. It was the first of two wins for Jim Morand. Gary Simpson trains and co-owns the Broadway Hall-Pure Adrenalin N three-year-old gelding with Eric Good. Eskimo Joe (Tony Morgan) was a close second. Lighter Hanover (Vic Kirby) finished third.
Morand also guided Lou Man to victory in a $12,500 conditioned trot in 1:55.1. The Indiana-bred four-year-old scored his third consecutive victory. Jim King trains the altered son of Lous Legacy-Relyea, for owners John McGill and Brian Carsey.
The Poliseno family had consecutive trips to the winner’s circle. Cody Poliseno, 21-year-old son of trainer Carlo Poliseno, won for the first time a Dover Downs driving Island Jet from way back with a driving finish to victory in 1:55 in a Delaware pace. One race later, Carlo’s brother, Tony Poliseno, trained Broadway Delores, owned by his wife Mary Lou Poliseno, to a 1:59.1 victory in a $9,500 trot.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are dark days. A $5,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 Pool is now featured daily.
(With files from Dover Downs)