Dover Downs Extra

The 19th Delaware Standardbred Owners Association (DSOA) Awards-Dinner was held on Friday, Jan. 15 in Dover. Popular TV hostess Heather Vitali emceed the harness racing event which began with a cocktail hour, dinner, awards presentation followed by music and dancing.

——————————————–

The longest win streak at the track belongs to Ragazzo Dolce, who made it eight straight victories in the $20,000-$25,000 claiming trot. Pacer Nice Trip has won seven straight. Drinksforthehouse and Rocknroll Jewel have joined trotter, Erico AS, with three-win streaks. I Love My Boss' five- wins in-a-row came to an end with a second-place finish in the $20,000 Open trot meanwhile

———————————————————-

Trip number-40, for veteran Dover Downs' horseman and humanitarian Ken Wood is underway. Wood is again following up on his overseas schedule to fly to the West African nation of Ghana and Tanzania. For the past six years, Wood has dug and installed more than 1,000 wells for drinking water for the many thousands of native residents. Prior to Wood's personal challenge to get safe drinking water to the natives, they had to walk approximately five mile to reach often contaminated water. More recently Wood has expanded his drilling to another African nation, Tanzania. His effort is a personal humanitarian effort which he financially supports.

Wood, a longtime resident of Easton, Md., is also a popular and successful horseman who has raced for more than three decades racing at Middle Atlantic region harness racetracks, more recently at Dover Downs, Harrah's Philadelphia, Pocono Downs and at the Meadowlands. With his son Ben, Wood operates a highly respected well-drilling company located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, not far from Delaware. The deeply religious Wood became aware of an urgent need for good drinking water in the poor West African nation of Ghana and Tanzania.

At his own expense, Wood sent his drilling equipment by boat and flew to West Africa to see in person the need for fresh water. Wood donated his digging equipment and personally purchased other necessities estimated at many thousands of dollars, to his on-going project. He trains Ghana, and now Tanzania locals to continue the on-going work between his visits. Wood's crusade has been aided by a number of Rotary clubs and has been recognized by AARP.

——————————————

The team of trainer Eric Ell and owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquita are red-hot. Trotter Enrico AS recorded his third straight win, the fifth win of the week for the group. They won four races Monday and another was disqualified after finishing first.

————————————————-

Driver Corey Callahan, seeking a seventh-straight leading driver title, has already won 98 races to lead this meet. Allan Davis is second with 61 wins. Ross Wolfenden, holds third-place with 55 winners. George Dennis is in fourth place with 51 winners and Tony Morgan completes the Top 5 with 42 wins.

—————————————–

Dylan Davis keeps the lead among trainers. The two-time track defending champ has 34 winners. Jim King is second with 24. Wayne Givens, in third place, with 21, Les Givens and Doug Lewis are tied for fifth with 17 winners each.

—————————–

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.

————————————————–

Sunday racing is now featured during January and February. Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. On Monday through Thursday regular weekday post time is 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are 'dark' days.

——————————————–

Marv Bachrad