Morairtime wired the boys in the Open Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday night (Feb. 23).
Driver Jack Parker Jr. took advantage of the shortened field by sending Morairtime to the top. Northern Express accepted the pocket, and the race appeared to be a carbon copy of last week’s race.
Morairtime set uncontested fractions of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:24.2. Northern Express, the favourite, and Russell Foster pulled the pocket past the three-quarters but made an untimely break and could not recover.
Morairtime won by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3. The victory was the second in a row in the Open Trot. She paid $5.20 to win.
Morairtime is sired by Airzoom Lindy and is a half sister to NF Happenstance. She, along with NF Happenstance, is owned by James D Moore III. Moore and Parker Jr. were classmates at Lake Forest high school in Delaware. Carol Jamieson-Parker, Jack’s wife, is the trainer.
Bluebird Jesse, who benefitted from Northern Express’ unfortunate break, saved ground on the pylons and was a non-threatening second. Jim King Jr. trains and Tim Tetrick drove. Need Luck N finished third for trainer Jason Johnson. Kim Vincent picked up the catch drive.
Dover Downs will again offer a $5,000 Pick-5 wager on Thursday night (Feb. 25). The wager is a 50-cent minimum bet with a 15 percent take out. The wager begins on the 10th race.
Victor Kirby won three races on the betting card.
Racing resumes on Wednesday (Feb. 24) at Dover Downs. First-race post time is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(Dover Downs)