Overlooked at 15-1 after winning at Yonkers Raceway from post eight last week, Gurf stormed home from the backfield to win the $23,000 Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday.
With Allan Davis at the controls, Gurf was shuffled back to sixth as the field began to bunch up while charging after the leading Magic Wheel (Brad Hanners) during the final quarter. But the longest shot on the board fired three-wide into the stretch and outsprinted his rivals home to win in 1:54.3 by a neck. Pocket-sitter Tagyoureit Hanover (Ross Wolfenden) edged by Magic Wheel for second while Sun Of A Victory (Daryl Bier) was a close fourth.
Rosemary Smutz trains Gurf for owner Dave Neilson. The win was the fifth of the year for the well-bred altered son of Self Possessed-Tasty Chip, and put him into six figures for 2012 earnings. The seven-year-old has banked $351,214 thus far in his career.
In the secondary feature, Major Herbie was never headed in a 1:54.3 conquest in a $16,000 Winners Over Trot. Ross Wolfenden drove the Here Comes Herbie-Independent Dam four-year-old ridgling for David Rovine, VIP Internet, Seafood Delight stables and trainer Josh Green. Cash On Delivery (Vince Copeland) was second best. Im So Striking (Eddie Dennis) finished third. The win was one of three on the card for Wolfenden.
Callahan also had three wins, as did trainer Mike Hall.
(With files from Dover Downs)