Last second heroics helped Stolen Car capture Thursday’s $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs for George Dennis, who put the pedal to the metal in the late stages of the contest en route to posting the narrow victory.
Stolen Car got away last while Catchmecullen A and Mustang Art battled to the quarter pole in :26.1. Mustang Art won the early sprint, but he was overtaken by Dancin Yankee who led the group to the half in :53.4.
Dancin Yankee was still in charge at the three-quarter marker in 1:22.2 but the backfield was starting to come to life. Stolen Car, who started a three-wide move on the way to the three-quarter pole used a :27.4 closing panel to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Annieswesterncard in 1:50.4. Third prize went to Adventure Bound.
Jeff Clark trains the five-year-old son of Mach Three-Ashlees Luck for owner Joe Muscara of Huntingdon Valley, PA. The victory improved the pacer’s 2013 record to 2-3-0 from six tries. The 15-time winner upped his lifetime earnings to $278,295 with the win.
Earlier on the card Woodstock Hanover rallied to a narrow score in the $23,000 Open Handicap Pace for the tandem of driver Ross Wolfenden and trainer Aaron Lambert. The gelding watched Mainland Key N and Im Fulla Luck N take turns on the lead through splits of :26.3, :56 and 1:24 before sweeping past them and holding off the others en route to a 1:51.3 triumph. Race favourite Im Fulla Luck N was a half-length behind the winner, with Paco Labrook taking home the show dough.
The victory was the first of the season in six tries for the seven-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Western Duel. The 17-time winner, who now boasts a bankroll of $421,417, is owned by Ken Tucci of Wood Ridge, NJ.