The Delaware harness racing circuit will resume Monday, Aug. 16 with a 12-race program (post time 4:30 p.m.) at Harrington Raceway.
The feature race on the program is slated as the sixth, a $20,000 Open Handicap for pacers. Hard-hitting mare Scuola Hanover (7-2, Art Stafford Jr.) will tackle the boys for owners Art and Andrew Stafford and Thomas Ireland. The six-year-old Rocknroll Dance mare was a 1:52.3 winner in her last race in the $35,000 Legislator’s Cup at Harrington during the Delaware State Fair. She has banked just shy of $100,000 this year for trainer and co-owner Andrew Stafford.
A solid group will oppose her in the field including Jason Lynch’s Gunslinger Hill (12-1, Toby Lynch Jr.), who was an upset victor in the overnight featured $50,000 Governor’s Cup during the fair racing program. Jacks Legend N (3-1, Pat Berry) is the likely favourite for owners Rich Lombardo, David Kryway, Eric Good and co-owner/trainer Josh Green. The ultra-consistent seven-year-old recently surpassed $100,000 in seasonal earnings. David Hamm and Rodney Long’s JJ Flynn (9-2, Allan Davis) is another logical contender as the Chuck Crissman-trainee has two quality wins recently at Harrah’s Philadelphia and sports a field-best seasonal bankroll of $116,119. He has also has the most wins (eight) in the field this year. Jason Lynch’s Mcboogity (8-1, Jason Lynch), David Hamm and Rodney Long’s American Admiral (8-1, Victor Kirby), Louis Tomczak Jr.’s Proper One (12-1, Jason Thompson) and Mst Racing Inc.’s Goldberg (7-1, Montrell Teague) will complete the field.
With 27 programs remaining in Harrington’s 75th anniversary season, there’s a tight race in the driver standings among defending leading champ Allan Davis (82 wins) and upstart Montrell Teague (77 wins). Two familiar former track training champs are atop the conditioner standings as Crissman (36 wins) maintains a lead over Green (25 wins).
As for multi-leg wagering options, two Pick 4 wagers await bettors, the first in the second race and also in the ninth.
Live racing will be conducted on a Monday/Tuesday schedule for the balance of August before a Monday through Wednesday schedule will commence beginning September 5 through October 20.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)