It was pacing ladies day at Dover Downs. Apache Dame wins $32,500 Mares Open pace, Wannahuckaloogi takes $$25,000 Jr. Mares Open highlighting the March 24 program at Dover
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In the $32,000 feature for female pacers, Apache Dame held off Lady Mach and Corey Callahan in deep stretch to score a 1:53.1 triumph with Ross Wolfenden holding the lines. The Apaches Fame-Amerissa eight-year-old made the winner's circle for the fifth time in nine starts this season for trainer Peter Tritton upping her seasonal bankroll to $79,740 in 2009 for Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing. Lady Mach, in her first local start, was a strong second for Corey Callahan. Last week's longshot winner Hopefull N and Brandon Givens, off at 35-1 from Post 8, came home third.
Tony Poliseno's Wannahuckaloogi dropped down from the Open to the $25,000 Mares Jr. Open ranks and equaled her lifetime best with a clocking of 1:52.4 as Mike Cole posted his second win of the day. Ladyfield, in her first start in two months, closed strongly with Tim Tetrick for second. Nidya A and Ross Wolfenden were the third place finisher. Wannahuckaloogi is a Dream Work-Unlawful Seizure five-year-old now a winner for four races in 10 starts.
Jon Roberts left quickly with Ireneonthemove and after fighting off a challenge from Roses And Olives (Givens) and Im Betting On You (Eddie Davis Jr.) around the final turn dug in to pull away for a 1:55.1 victory, her first of the year, in a $17,500 Filly and Mare pace. Rodney Wyatt, father and son, own the classy Powerful Toy-Lindaonthemove six-year-old conditioned by Jason Skinner. Roses And Olives stayed second with Dynamic Dream (Tetrick) closing with a rush to take third place.
Alices Restaurant won for the first time this year as Tim Tetrick guided the Western Ideal-Alice Alice four-year-old to a 1:53.4 win in a $17,000 female pace. Mike Hall trains the winner for Mitch Rosenthal and Dan Pallay. Aint No Misfit (Roger Plante) rolled along the passing lane to edge Raging Character (Brandon Givens), who had contested for the lead from before the half, for second money.
Vince Copeland drove PW Michelle to a 1:54.1 victory in a $16,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Filly and Mare pace for Steve Stites, John Bosch and George Wagner. It was the second win of the year for the Grinfromeartoear four-year-old. Red High Heels (Wolfenden) came from off the pace to within a half-length of the winner while Caribbean Dream N (Tetrick), the race favourite had to settle for third.
Eddie Davis Jr. drove the longshot on the card, 27-1 Meadowcroft Man in the $14,000 top trot. It was the second win in his last three starts for trainer Karen Crothers and owner Max Walton. The San Pellegrino gelding circled the field on the way to the 1:58 win. Mignon (Wolfenden) and Grand Photo (Tetrick) finished second and third respectively.
My Last Wiggle, now owned by Charles Nitkowski, racked up her fifth consecutive victory with a 1:56.2 performance in a $7,500 Delaware Claiming Allowance. The win ended the four-race win streak of runner-up Joveale (Tetrick).
Ross Wolfenden continued his hot hand winning three races. Tim Tetrick, Corey Callahan, Eddie Davis Jr. and Mike Cole had driving doubles.
(Dover Downs)