Summer Camp recovered from an early break and then withstood the grind of a first-over trip to take home Monday’s $35,000 Preferred Pace at Dover Downs
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Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in the six-horse affair, Summer Camp made an early miscue on driver Andy Miller, who quickly got the pacer to reset after spotting the field a head start. Three Of Spades shot to the front and had the field lined up behind him at the quarter pole in :27 seconds. Lucky Bettor popped out of the three hole and became the leader at the mid-way point in :55.2, and at that point Summer Camp started a first-over rally.
Miller and Summer Camp motored to the top at the three-quarter pole in 1:23 before using a :28.1 closing panel to record the neck decision over Wambam Sam in 1:51.1. Third prize went to Harlingen Hanover.
Josh Green trains the seven-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover-Roman Art for Baron Racing Stable of Horsham, PA and VIP Internet Stable LLC of Piscataway, NJ. The victory improved the pacer’s 2011 record to 6-1-0 in nine tries while pushing his lifetime earnings to $174,805.
It turned out to be a profitable card for driver Ron Pierce, who made five trips to the winner’s circle over the course of the 16-race card. He clicked with Marks Pacific (1:53.4), Ideal Vintage (1:52.2), Funny Deacon (1:51.3), Keystoourdreams N (1:53.2) and Everlasting Pride (1:52).