Ontario sired Arriba Amigo chalked up his fourth consecutive victory, stepping up to win the $27,000 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday at Dover Downs
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Now undefeated in four starts since being acquired by David Rovine, VIP Internet Stable and trainer Josh Green from Ontario connections, Matt Kakaley sent Arriba Amigo into an early lead. After shaking off a stubborn challenge from Anders Bluestone (Ross Wolfenden), which began in mid-backstretch, the Amigo Hall-Fidanzata gelding eased away after turning for home to a 1:53.4 lifetime best. Spunky Sue (Eric Goodell) rallied along the passing lane to finish second for an unprecedented six straight time. Anders Bluestone was a game third.
Arriba Amigo, the youngest at four among the nine starters, won for the seventh time in his career and pushed his earnings over the $200,000 mark.
Lolique showed his class turning back seven foes in the $15,000 sub-feature trot. John Wagner took the classy Tagliabue-Crystal Vic gelding right to the front and never looked back notching a 1:54.2 triumph. Sea Raven (Ron Pierce) came on to finish second in front of promising four-year-old Classic Puzzle (Corey Callahan).The victory was the second in six starts for owners Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen. Lolique won for the 37th time in his career and now has won $799,645 lifetime.
Cane Ridge won the first time out for Alton Lynch Sr. after being claimed in three of his four previous races. Ron Pierce steered the Cambest-Camus gelding to a come-from-behind 1:52.3 victory in a $20,000 Male Claiming pace, out closing The Quiet Village (Tony Morgan) by a nose at the wire. Idylwood Phoenix (Daryl Bier) cut the mile until the final strides. After the race, Cane Ridge has another new owner as he was again claimed.
Ron Pierce moved back into first place in wins this meet with three. Matt Kakaley also had a driving triple.
(With files from Dover Downs)