The trip was tough, but the end result was very sweet for Mcardles Lightning in Thursday’s $30,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers at Dover Downs.
The Steve Elliott-trained Mcardles Lightning pulled off a mild upset over race favourite Wakizashi Hanover in the featured affair, but he had to work had for the money.
Always At My Place had the field behind him to the quarter pole in :26.4, and he was pressed by a first-over Mcardles Lightning through fractions of :55.4 and 1:23. Mcardles Lightning used a :27.2 closing quarter to win by three-quarters of a length over Wakizashi Hanover in 1:50.2. Rounding out the top three in the talented field was Missile J.
John Campbell mapped out the winning trip for Mcardles Lightning, who posted his first win of the year – and the 17th of his career – for owner/breeder Lightning Stable of Boca Raton, FL. The pacer has banked just shy of $375,000 to date.
Emeritus Maximus took home top honours in the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap for the tandem of driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Kyle Moore. The pacer came first-over and won in going-away fashion by 3-1/4 lengths over Captive Audience in 1:50.3. Mustang Art was third best.
Sent off at odds of 7-1, the seven-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover-Eternitys Delight improved his 2017 record to 6-1-1 from nine starts with the win. Donald Marine and Brent Hall share ownership on the career winner of $466,618.
Remember Me VK held on for a nose decision over Nike Franco N in the $20,000 Open Handicap.
Montrell Teague made a three-wide move with Remember Me VK on the way to the three-quarter pole, and his :26.4 closing quarter was good enough to earn him the narrow triumph over face favourite Nike Franco N in 1:51.3. Star Messenger rallied from far back to finish third.
Robert Wyatt trains the 13-1 upsetter for Sharon Wyatt, Robin West and Ronald Benton. The 18-time winner has banked more than $270,000.