After disappointing as the odds-on favourite in last week’s first start off the shelf, Backstreet Shadow went down the road in Thursday’s follow-up assignment in the $32,500 Preferred Handicap for pacers at Dover Downs.
Tim Tetrick pointed Backstreet Shadow to the engine from Post 8 and together they whacked out fractions of :26.2, :55.1 and 1:22.2 before using a :27.1 closing panel to win by a neck over Bo Mach in 1:49.3. Closing Statement rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Ron Burke trains the five-year-old son of Shadow Play-Backstreet Sweetie for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Lawrence Karr and Jandt Silva Purnel & Libb. The 18-time winner is quickly closing in on $500,000 in career earnings.
Proper One pulled off a 6-1 upset in the $30,000 Blue Hen Open Handicap earlier on the program for the tandem of driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Carlo Poliseno.
Grantmeawish rolled the field through fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:22.2 before being gobbled up in the lane. Proper One, who was treated to a two-hole trip for the majority of the mile, found late clearance and kicked home in :28.1 to post the one-length decision over race favourite Qs Cruise in 1:50.4. Late Mail N grabbed the show dough.
It was the second win of the season for the six-year-old son of Proper Respect-JK Glory Days. The 26-time winner is a homebred owned by Louis Tomczak, Jr. of Dover, DE. He banked just shy of $260,000 to date.