Despite racing first-over, Heinikin Bythebay was much the best at Dover Downs Thursday, winning the $51,700 Late Closing Series (DSBF eligibles) for 3-year-old colt and gelding harness racing pacers in a romp.
The eighth race feature started out with Ds Heartland (Art Stafford, Jr.) going to the early lead to the opening quarter mile in :26.1. Following on the outside was the race favorite, Heinikin Bythebay and driver Tim Tetrick.
Ds Heartland continued to lead the field to the half mile in :55.4 with Heinikin Bythebay moving his way towards the front. Ds Heartland dug in solid, keeping Heinikin Bythebay parked out through the three-quarters in 1:23.2.
And that was it for playing games for Heinikin Bythebay as he tore away from Ds Heartland to lead by five lengths at the top of the stretch and kept it going for Tetrick, crossing the wire a six and one-half length winner in 1:52.2. Ds Heartland was second with Bad And Boujee (Russell Foster) third.
HEINIKIN BYTHEBAY REPLAY
A three-year-old gelding by Southwind Lynx, Heiniken Bythebay is trained by Kevin Switzer and is owned by KDK Standardbreds of Delaware. He paid just $2.40 to win.
Workin Ona Mystery dug in late and won the Open/ Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday night.
Three horses left for early race position to the quarter. Seventh Secret won the early battle and held the lead to the quarter in a wind aided :25.2.
Workin Ona Mystery and driver Tim Tetrick left after being parked 3 wide, settled in third, then rushed to the top past the quarter.
Workin Ona Mystery led the field to the half in a rated :54.2. The even odds race favorite, Let It Ride N and Dexter Dunn sprinted down the backstretch. They challenged Workin Ona Mystery they reached the three quarters in 1:22.
It was a classic stretch duel between the top two harness drivers in the country. Tetrick and Dunn battled to the wire.
Workin Ona Mystery and Tim Tetrick won by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:50.3. He paid $4.80 to win.
Workin Ona Mystery (Captaintreacherous) is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC of PA, Milton.Leeman, Alan Keith and Wingfield brothers of Ohio. Ron Burke trains. Even odds race favorite Let It Ride N was 2nd for trainer R. Nifty Norman.Dover Downs Horse Of The Meet, Penzance Hanover was 3rd for trainer/ driver Art Stafford Jr.
WORKIN ONA MYSTERY REPLAY
Tim Tetrick, the leading driver at Dover Downs, had 4 driving wins. Chuck Crissman Jr, the leading trainer, at Dover Downs had 2 training wins.
Racing returns to Harrington Raceway on Monday April 11th.
For full race results, click here.
By Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs