$310,000 Progress Pace heads strong Dover program

Dover Downs will feature the last Grand Circuit race of the 2021 harness racing season on Wednesday, hosting the $310,000 final of the Progress Pace for three-year-old pacing colts.

In addition to the rich Grand Circuit event, Dover Downs will also feature on Wednesday the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Final for two-year-old pacing fillies and a $27,500 Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace.

The $310,000 Progress Pace Final is the 12^th race on the card and has eight starters headlined by 5/2 morning line favorite, Charlie May, who starts from post seven for driver Tim Tetrick.

The gelded son of McArdle, trained by Steve Carter for owner-breeder Don Tiger of Canonsburg, PA, has had a great season, winning 10 of 21 starts and $842,200.

Last week in the Progress Pace elimination heat, Charlie May had a rough go with Tetrick, getting parked out first-over, but still hung gamely to finish fourth by only three-quarters of a length and making it to Wednesday’s rich final.

Prior to last week’s race, Charlie May showed he can win at Dover from an outside post, wiring the field from post seven in the $164,750 Matron Stake by a neck in 1:49.2.

Hopeful to hand Charlie May another loss is Lou’s Pearlman from post two for driver Yannick Gingras. Last week the son of Sweet Lou was able to find clearance late in the mile to score in 1:49.1. That was the Little Brown Jug winner’s eight triumph of the season for trainer Ron Burke. He was second by a neck to Charlie May in the Matron, so this hotly contested rivalry continues.

Other contenders in the field include Southwind Gendry from post eight for driver David Miller. Also trained by Ron Burke, Southwind Gendry came from off the pace last week, losing to Lou’s Pearlman by only a neck. Abuckabett Hanover (post 1) was also in last week’s photo finish as he was third, also by a neck. He will be driver by Andy McCarthy.

Rounding out the field are Hellabalou (post 3), Chase H Hanover (post 4), Rockyroad Hanover (post 5) and Virgo (post 6).

The 10^th race is the $100,000 DSBF Final and featured is the undefeated Shabby Chic, who goes for her eighth straight triumph and a clean sweep of the series.

Trained by Michael Hall for the Let It Ride Stable of Boca Raton, FL, Shabby Chic starts from post five for driver Tim Tetrick. Last week the daughter of Badlands Hanover won a preliminary round of the DSBF series in a romp by seven and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.2, equaling her lifetime record.

Seeking to bring an end to Shabby Chic’s winning ways will be Bank The Win from post three for driver Victor Kirby. This filly by Roddy’s Bags Again has three wins in six starts for trainer Bryan Truitt, who co-owns the filly with his son, Bryan, Jr. and Kirby.

In her last start, Bank The Win was at her best in her DSBF division, romping by more than 14 lengths in a lifetime best 1:54.3 clocking.

Other return winners in the field include Gaitway Gal (post 1) and Odds On Surfer Gal (post 6).

The 11^th race is the Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace featuring 12-time winner this year, Scuola Hanover (post 2) for driver Art Stafford, Jr. They are taking on 11-time winner and Dover favorite Slick Tony (post 3) and Betterthanthebeach (post 5).

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 4:30 pm.

For a free race program, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink