Invading from Harrah's Philadelphia off a pair of second-place finishes, Sinatra De Vie sustained a first-over attack and duelled down Coventry Hall for a two-length win in the $15,068 Open Handicap Trot at Ocean Downs on Wednesday, June 5.
Johnathan Ahle and Sinatra De Vie settled in fourth early behind Coventry Hall (Trae Porter) before inheriting third from Ginger Tree Skyr (Frank Milby), who broke stride up the backstretch. After stalking a :27.4 first quarter, Sinatra De Vie tightened behind the top pair and then commenced his first-over attack after Coventry Hall backed the half down to :59.
Sinatra De Vie turned up the pressure with three-eighths to go and pushed nearly a length ahead of Coventry Hall past three-quarters in 1:27.2, but appeared to be rebuffed on the far turn by his inside rival, who dug in to reclaim a brief lead heading for home. But after cornering, Sinatra De Vie asserted himself and strode clear to a 1:56.1 victory. Coventry Hall was a game second while the second-over Crossfit Mouse (Corey Braden) held third over last week's Open winner, K J Todd (Jared Moyer), whose late rally came up short after he suffered early interference.
Eric Foster owns and trains Sinatra De Vie, a four-year-old Southwind Frank gelding who scored his fifth win from 12 starts this year and his 13th win overall. He paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favourite.
Corey Braden and Roger Plante Jr. scored driving doubles while John Wagner notched a training double. Stacey McLenaghan won once as a trainer and once as a driver, harnessing Creekside Pete before his 1:56.4 win in the second race and then reining Spee Dee Shark to an 11-1 upset in the finale, an Ocean Club for Amateur Drivers pacing event.
Racing returns to Ocean Downs on Thursday, June 6 with the first of 12 races due off at 7:05 p.m. EDT.
(Ocean Downs)