Art Stafford Jr. became part of harness racing history driving a dead heat winner in back-to-back races at Dover Downs on Pearl Harbor Remembrance day.
In the seventh race, Stafford driving Gentlemens Bet and Ascaryone Hanover with Corey Callahan could not be separated by the photo finish camera in 1:52.2.
Jason Skinner trains and co-owns Gentlemens Bet, a Bettors Delight-Misty Speed gelding, with Justin Skinner. Gary Simpson and Eric Good own the Yankee Cruiser-A Filly To Fear three-year-old gelding trained by Eddie Dennis.
One race later, Stafford guided Cajon Lightning to catch front-pacing Sicily and Montrell Teague in 1:49.4 to dead-heat the $25,000 Open Pace. Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farm owned Cajon Lightning, a Mach Three-Tex In The City gelding, who chalked up his eighth win of the year. Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing own the Wayne Givens trained Sicily, now a seven-time winner this season.
Stafford, Jr. came right back with a strong come-from-behind 1:52.3 victory, his third on the card, in an $11,000 winners pace.
Christen Me N, a heralded New Zealand star won for the fourth time in his last five starts in Delaware coming from last at the half in a six-horse $30,000 Preferred/ Handicap to bolt past leader Major Upstart just past the three-quarters and pulled away for a 1:49.2 triumph with Ross Wolfenden driving for trainer Jim King and owner Rich Poillucci. Soto (Stafford) got up for second in front of Bettor Memories (Russell Foster).
Christen Me N is a nine-year old Christian Cullen-Splendid Dreams gelding who has won $99,784 this season and $2,092,914 lifetime.
(With files from Dover Downs)