Winning Mister became the fastest older trotting horse in Dover Downs history scoring a 1:53.2 victory in the $26,000 Open Trot on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Dover Downs
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For the second straight week, Bob Key’s homebred Winning Mister notched an impressive victory in the top trot of the week. Matt Kakaley left from the outside and required a :26.4 opening panel to get the lead. But that was all that was needed as the Angus Hall-Winning Missbrenda five-year-old held off a bid from Anders Bluestone (Ross Wolfenden) from the top of the lane to the finish line to break the former 1:53.4 track record for older trotting horses set by Par One and driver Steve Warrington in 2003. The overall track trotting record is 1:52.2, established by gelding Enough Talk with George Brennan in 2008.
The triumph was the second for driver Matt Kakaley and third in four starts for Winning Mister, now a career winner of $537,920. Anders Bluestone, second, was followed by Photo Maxx (Mike Cole).
In the secondary feature, $16,500 trot, Lolique made the winner’s circle for the first time this year with John Wagner driving for a 1:56.1 victory. Lolique took the lead from Spunky Vic (Matt Kakaley) at the quarter and led the rest of the mile. Alcarine (Daryl Bier) hustled out of fifth after the half but could not get to the leader. In the stretch Spunky Vic took the passing lane to finish second beaten a half length, with Alcarine third. Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen own the Tagliabue-Crystal Vic gelding whose bankroll is now $790,845.
General Montgomery stepped up again, this time to the $20,000 claiming price and again front-stepped to a victory in 1:53.4. It was the Pro Bono Best-Sky Yankee gelding’s fifth win in a row for owner-trainer Josh Green. Eric Goodell has driven “the General” in all of his consecutive victories. Menno Boy (Eddie Davis Jr.) and Al Ibad Spider (Mike Cole) were second and third respectively.
Corey Callahan, with a four-win night, has moved back into first place in the trainer standings. Callahan has 145, runner-up Ron Pierce has 142 wins. Matt Kakaley also had a driving double. Meet leading trainer Josh Green, who owns two winners, added two wins bringing his to 60.
(With files from Dover Downs)