Major Uptrend extended his winning streak to two-in-a-row thanks to an impressive-looking victory in Monday’s $27,500 Preferred-Open at Dover Downs.
Tony Morgan hustled Major Uptrend to the lead from Post 2, and after carving out panels of :26.3, :54.3 and 1:21.3 the Tim Crissman trainee kicked home in :27.2 to win by three-quarters of a length over race favourite Sicily in 1:49. Taking home third prize was Highalator.
It was the 40th lifetime triumph for the career winner of $469,583 who is owned by Crissman Inc and Niss Allen Inc.
One race earlier, Morgan guided another Tim Crissman trainee, Mildred Ventriglio’s Kid PK to a 1:50.3 triumph in a $14,000 Winners-Over pace. The Wearable Art-Lightning D Dube gelding made it four wins in his last five races. Star Messenger (Art Stafford, Jr.) was the runner-up with Gerries Sport (Tim Tetrick) third.
Morgan also drove Niss Allen’s 7-1 Mississippi Rabbit, a Richess Hanover-Dixie Darlin gelding, along the passing lane to catch Cash Is King (Corey Callahan) in the final stride for a 1:52 victory going for $18,000 in a Winners pace. Rock The Town (Tetrick) took show honours.
Morgan had four winning drives on the card, with three of them coming from the stable of trainer Tim Crissman. The productive day for Crissman was a memorable one as he sent out the 1,500th winner of his career.
(With files from Dover Downs)