Workin Ona Mystery dug in late and won the $32,500 Open/Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday (March 31).
Three horses left for early race position to the quarter. Seventh Secret won the early battle and held the lead to the quarter in a wind aided :25.2. Workin Ona Mystery and driver Tim Tetrick left and after being parked three-wide, settled in third, then rushed to the top past the quarter. Workin Ona Mystery led the field to the half in a rated :54.2.
The even-odds race favourite, Let It Ride N, towed driver Dexter Dunn down the backstretch. He challenged Workin Ona Mystery as they reached the three-quarters in 1:22. It was a classic stretch duel between two of the top harness drivers in the country as Tetrick and Dunn battled to the wire. Workin Ona a Mystery won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:50.3 and paid $4.80 to win. Let It Ride N was second for trainer Nifty Norman. Dover Downs Horse of the Meet Penzance Hanover was third for trainer/driver Art Stafford Jr.
Workin Ona Mystery (Captaintreacherous - Dragons Tale) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Milt Leeman, Alan Keith and the Wingfield Brothers. Ron Burke is the trainer.
Earlier in the evening, the $51,700 Late Closing Series (DSBF eligibles) for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers was sent postward.
Heinikin Bythebay was sent off at 1-5 odds. He raced first over without cover and won by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:52.2. DS Heartland was second for trainer Les Givens and was driven by Stafford. Bad And Boujee was third for trainer Eric Foster. Russell Foster drove.
Heinikin Bythebay (Southwind Lynx-Sally Pansen) is owned by Kdk Standardbreds. He is trained by Kevin Switzer and Tetrick drove.
Tetrick, the leading driver at Dover Downs, had four wins. Chuck Crissman Jr., the leading trainer, had two wins.
Harness racing in Delaware shifts to Harrington Raceway on Monday (April 11).
(with files from Dover)