Higher And Higher smilingly too far back on the final turn turned on the burners and closed to victory in 1:52.1 to win the last $26,000 Mares Open pace on an intermittently rainy Tuesday at Dover Downs
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Daryl Bier driving Higher And Higher sat on the outside in a group trailing No Bad Luck (Montrell Teague) beginning to pull away as the field of distaffers completed turning for home. Bier urged on the Western Terror-Po Bowl Best four-year-old until finally reaching the leader nearing the finish line. She went on to stop the teletimer in 1:51.2. No Bad Luck was second. Itz Cherry Ripe N (George Dennis) was third.
It was her second victory of the year in four starts. Driver Daryl Bier, Charlie Dombeck and Glen DelRusso purchased the mare after she competed in the Breeders Crown last Fall at Pocono Downs. The win was the first of three on the card for driver Bier.
Long-time horseman Gordon Barrett, who started the afternoon with only 22 drives during the meet, had a day to remember. Barrett drove Willow Mil Faith along the passing lane for a 1:58.3 win at 26-1 odds in the second race. He later teamed with 51-1 Ruby Star for a 1:55 score in a $13,200 pace for a trainer-driver double, with both horses owned by Willow Mill Stables.
Ron Pierce drove three wins has taken a three-win lead ahead of defending track champion Corey Callahan, Pierce has 227 wins, Callahan 224 winners. Daryl Bier joins Pierce with a three-win day.
Wednesday is the penultimate day of Dover Downs 42nd season and features two $100,000 DSBF filly finals. The meet ends on Thursday. Daily post time is 4:30 p.m.
(Dover Downs)