Moments of Joy splashes to victory

DOVER, DE –  Moments of Joy splashed her way to a harness racing victory in the Mares Open Pace at Dover Downs on Wednesday night over a sloppy, rain-soaked track.

Moments Of Joy earned vindication honors by defeating Scuola Hanover, who upset her last week in the Mares Open. She and Infinite Symbol A were the quickest away from the gate.

Driver Victor Kirby and Moments of Joy proved the aggressor as they pulled the pocket and seized the lead away from Infinite Symbol A at the quarter pole. Moments Of Joy cut fractions of :26.3 to the quarter and the half in :55.3.

Scuola Hanover and driver Art Stafford Jr. were willing to lay their three race win streak on the line.  They moved off the rail from fourth uncovered and hustled down the backstretch in full attack mode.

Moments Of Joy and Kirby were in full flight as they reached the three quarters in 1:22.4.  That third quarter was paced in 27.1. In the stretch Moments of Joy and Scuola Hanover,  the 3/2 race favorite set up a classic stretch duel.  However, at the wire, Moments Of Joy dug down deep  and won by a nose in 1:50 flat.

MOMENTS OF JOY REPLAY

She paid $7.00 for the win. The last half was paced in 54.2 and the last quarter was marched off in 27.1 over the rain soaked, sloppy racing surface.

Moments Of Joy (Western Terror) is owned and trained by Bryan Truitt.

Scuola Hanover finished a hard fought 2nd.  Andrew Stafford trained and his brother Art Stafford Jr. drove.

40-1 shot Feeling Sweet finished 3rd for Dover Downs’ leading trainer of the racing meet  Joe Columbo.  Mike Cole drove.

Owner, breeder and trainer Brenda Teague had a double on the evening card.

Dover Downs returns for it’s final day of the racing meet on Thursday. Post Time is 4:30 pm..

Harness racing returns to Harrington Raceway on April 12.  Post Time is 4:30 pm.

For full results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs