It was a big week for Team Teague. George and Montrell Teague , harness racing trainer Clyde Francis and caretaker, Mike Taylor, made the news when the Delaware legislature and Gov. Markell saluted Wiggle It Jiggleit,, 2015 Horse of the Year. Taylor later was announced as Groom of the Year on Thursday. They all will be honored, along with JoAnn King, the U.S. Harness Writers Association’s  ’ Good Guy Award winner, at USHWA’s Dan Patch Awards-Dinner in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Sunday, March 6. For more information contact: www. ushwa.org.  

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A pair of impressive win streaks came to an end during the week. Master Builder snapped an eight-race win streak by Ragazzo Dolce in a $15,000-$20,000 Claiming trot  on Wednesday (1/27),plus Drinksforthehourse. three-win streak. The six-race win streak by Nice Trip came to an end on Tuesday (1/19) when the female pacer finished out-of-the-money.

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The richest maiden pacer at the track, Doctor McSwing drew post 1 in Sunday (1/31) 1st race. Even though the well-bred five-year-old has not won in 64 races, he has 15 seconds and eight thirds while earning $57,676 in purses.

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There is only one 3-year-old on the Monday (2/1) card. Sentencing Memo, who has only started five times and won them all. The unbeaten pacer races in the 7th race against four-and-five-year-olds.  Another streaking horse is Bull Investor, who won his third in a row last week.

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The longshot of the week came Wednesday (1/20) when Man Of Muscles scored a 51-1 longshot victory. Ironically, the trotter finished second in his previous start.

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On Tuesday (1/25), four drivers accounted for 13 of the 15 race winners. Tony Morgan and Allan Davis had four wins each, Tim Tetrick had three and George Dennis, a double. Also, trainer Jim king haltered two winners. Then the next day, five drivers combined for 12 wins, Corey Callahan led with  four winners, George Dennis, Ross Wolfenden, Montrell Teague and Tony Morgan along with owner-trainer Arty Foster Jr., trainer Bob Reeser, and owners Reeser, Holly Case, Denise Dennis and Jay Johannsen all made the winner’s circle twice,

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Driver Corey Callahan, who has not raced for more than a week, continues to hold onto first place in the Leading Driver category. Seeking a seventh-straight title, Callahan has already won 104 races. Allan Davis is second with 80 wins. Ross Wolfenden, holds third-place with 66 winners. Tony Morgan moves into fourth place with 62 winners. George Dennis completes the Top 5 with 61 wins.

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Dylan Davis keeps the lead among trainers. The two-time track defending champ has 43 winners. Jim King is second with 29. Wayne Givens, in third place, with 25, Les Givensn fourth with 20 wins and Josh Green is fifth with 19 winners.

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For those who enjoy dining while watching the races, the popular Winners Circle Harness Buffet is a treat. Reservations are suggested; call 302-674-4000.

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Sunday is now a race day during January and February. Sunday post timer is  5:30 p.m. The Monday through Thursday regular weekday post time is 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are ‘dark’ days. 

NINE START IN WIDE-OPEN SUNDAY DOVER DOWNS FEATURE

All nine starters in the Sunday, Jan. 31 feature race at Dover Downs finished either 1,2 or 3 in their last starts. Three of the nine starters won their previous races. Three more finished second and three others were third. A $20,000 Claiming pace is the co-feature race. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.

In the 9th race Male pace feature, Stacy Billings' SB Mikes Hot Beach (Mie Rossi), Ringler's Stable's Simon's Artist (Jim Morand) and To The Moon & Back Inc.'s Odds On Demi-Queue (Tony Morgan), all won their last starts.

Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquita's Jeremes General (Allan Davis), Doug Lewis' Sunshine Superman (Jonathan Roberts) and Dixon's Ken Kam (Ross Wolfenden)were all in the photo, finishing second while Jane Ramsey's Delaware Hanover (Frank Milby), Allstar Preview (George Dennis) from the rail and Lou Catana's Pronology Z Tam (Tyler Davis) were close-up third place finishers.

Just as interesting is the $20,000 4&5-Year-Old Claiming pace, also featuring a field of nine. Art Stafford, owns, trains and drives Golden Parachute, who was a fast closing second last time. DuPage's Z Tam (Morgan), owned by Polansky, the McCaffreys and Z Tam Stables has drawn the rail. Bob Murray's Three Day Forecast (Wolfenden) was a good second in his previous start.

The other contenders are Tom Tetrick's Uncle Si (Vic Kirby), Curran Racing's PL Hoofhearted (Marcus Miller), Troy Tribbett's Big Secret (Roberts), Gary Humphrey's Spinout (Roger Plante) , Kathleen Brewer's Quick Shot (Jim Morand), and If You Want Fire (A.Davis) starting from the outside for Mike Casalino and trainer Dylan Davis).

Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are dark days. 

To enjoy racing and the popular Winner's Circle Harness Buffet it, is suggest to call for a reservation, phone 302-674-4600.

Throughout the year, Harness and Thoroughbred Simulcasting opens daily at 12 Noon until 12 Midnight at Dover Downs Race and Sports Book in the Colonnade. There is no charge for parking or admission at Dover Downs.

Marv Bachrad