DOVER, DE – Wind Of The North makes his Dover Downs debut in the strong Wednesday, Feb. 22 $20,000 Open Handicap trot facing last week's winner Frost Free Hanover and Tough Mac in the field of seven quality diagonally gaited rivals. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
After besting former Hambletonian champion Market Square by a length last week in a qualifying race, Sean Bier will drive Joann Dombeck's Wind Of The North in his first start this year. Frost Free Hanover, owned by Rich Polluci, won last week's Open with Vic Kirby driving. This time Mike Casalino's Tough Mac and Corey Callahan, moves from post 8 to the middle of the lineup looking for his third win in his last four.
Leigh Raymer and John Whitby's Buddy Hally driven by Yannick Gingras, made an untimely break last week in his first Open appearance. Uva Hanover reined by Tony Morgan for owners Martin Sternberg and Stake Your Claim heads the rest of the fast field. The only female starter, Bill Cantrell's Classic Belisima with Art Stafford Jr., a winner of two of her last four races drew the rail with Lois & Earl Walters and E&K Stable's I'm So Striking and Eddie Dennis alongside.
Mike Casalino's Earl's Speeder (Callahan) with a win and second in his last two outings drew post 1in the $15,500 4&5-Year-Old Winners-Over trot sub feature while Richard Gutnick and TLP Stables' Moonlight Cocktail (Morgan), a recent four race win streaker, must star from outside post 8. The steady Bluebird Reverend (Montrell Teague) races for trainer Bob Reeser, Dan Dennis, Jay Johannsen and Holly Case. Celebrity Pegasus (Stafford Jr.) turned in an impressive win last start for Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms.
Bob Shahan's Machuca (Morgan) is due for better. There is plenty of speed on the outside with Bobby Glassmeyer's Tymal Signature (Jonathan Roberts), Steel Reserve, owned by driver Vic Kirby and Chris Giaccio and Delbert Cain and Nanticoke Racing's Go Byem (Jim Morand).
Weekday post time for Monday through Thursday racing is 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are dark days. Parking and admission are free. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant's acclaimed Buffet and for the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600. Top harness and thoroughbred races are featured in the Racing and Sports Book daily for 12 Noon until 12 Midnight.
by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs
