Major Occasion A proved impressive, winning the $27,500 Mares Open Pace at Dover Downs on Wednesday night (Feb. 26) in a sparkling 1:50.2.
Moments of Joy and Bettor Joy N left together for the early lead. Bettor Joy N aggressively pulled on Moments Of Joy at the quarter pole and controlled early fractions of :27.1 and :56.1 while even-money favourite Major Occasion A settled into fourth.
At the half, Dexter Dunn called upon Major Occasion A, who ground up on the outside and pressured Bettor Joy N through three-quarters in 1:23.1 In the stretch, Major Occasion A kicked into another gear, wearing down Bettor Joy N to win by a head. Major Occasion A paced an individual last half in :53.2 and a last quarter of :26.4. Bettor Joy N finished second, while Moments of Joy N finished third from the pocket.
Richard 'Nifty' Norman trains Major Occasion A, a six-year-old daughter of Art Major, for the Enzed Racing Stable.
(with files from Dover Downs)