Bad Boy Matt heads Delaware Special

DOVER, Del. —- Bad Boy Matt leaves from the rail in the $28,500 Delaware Special feature race on the Monday, Jan. 4 Dover Downs harness racing card.

After a strong effort in last week's Preferred Handicap, Bad Boy Matt drew post 1 in this week's $28,500 Delaware Special. Allan Davis will be at the controls for the seven-time winner in 2015 for Reggie Hazzard and Legacy Racing. Two other starters also raced in the Preferred last time, Foulk Stables' Sparky Mark, get driver Yannick Gingras, who won five races in each of the last two Monday races, and driver Art Stafford and brother Andrew Stafford's Framed Art. Elizabeth Brittingham steps out of the claiming ranks after a victory with Bret Brittingham at the helm.

Carter Racing and trainer Doug Lewis' Captive Audience has been sharp in all of his previous starts at the track. Corey Callahan will drive. Mustang Art, owned by Max Walton and Greg Papaleo, finished second a week ago and will again be piloted by Brett Miller, this time from post 9 in the second tier. Just A Jolt was never a factor last time. Owned by Janet Hudson, Vic Kirby drove the winner of 10 races last year, but again leaves from post 8. Kovach Stables Feel Like A Fool will be in the hands of Montrell Teague while George Dennis will drive the usually close Don't Ya Know for Joan Dalphon and Elanor Laws.

Driver Art and Art Stafford Jr.'s Blazing Bobby Sox pits a three-race win streak on the line in a $15,000 f&5-Year-Old Male Pace against Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing's Classic Six (Gingras) fresh from a five-wins in his last six outings starting from post 1. C&G Racing's Twin B Stingray (Kirby), who finished second in his last two races, heads the opposition on a strong undercard.

BRIONI STEPS UP IN COMPANY TO WIN SUNDAY $15,000 CLAIMER AT DOVER DOWNS

After being claimed last time out, Brioni stepped up to win the $15,000 Claiming Allowance with a 1:53.1 effort at Dover Downs on the first Sunday card of the meet, Jan. 3. The holiday season has not ended for Jingle Bell Rocker, winner of his fifth in-a-row.

Marcus Miller steered Broni to his second consecutive win and fourth in his last five races scoring a 1:53.1 triumph for new owner-trainer Arty Foster. The now five-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark-Armbro Bahama won a tight photo from Native Art (Montrell Teague) second and Danish Diligence (Ross Wolfenden). The win extends his lifetime bankroll to $83,865. As Bad As Thunder (Brett Brittingham) saw a three-race win streak end with a fourth-place finish.

Jingle Bell Rocker, a dominant claiming winner last year reaching the winner's circle 16 times, started off the New Year with his fifth consecutive victory, for owner Tina Calrk. Les Givens conditions the Rocknroll Hanover-Blizzard Of Oz gelding driven by Ross Wolfenden in all his local wins. Arockin Hanover (Allan Davis) was second with Alex In Wonderland (Sean Bier) third.

Also on the program, Corey Callahan racked up his third winner steering Tom Lazzaro's Contraband Hanover, a Somebeachsomewhere– Castaway Hanover gelding, to an easy 1:53 win. It was meet leading trainer Dylan Davis' second winner. Lettucefib A (Art Stafford Jr.) finished second with Morgan Shark (Wolfenden) third.

Coal Hanover and Tony Morgan ended a string of three second-place finishes, with a 1:54.2 victory in a 4&5-Year-Old pace. Foulk Stables owns the Dragon Again-Calgary Hanover gelding. Full On Rocknroll (Callahan) was runner-up in front of Mr. Pearl (Wolfenden).

Jason Lynch drove Millenium Wheel from far back to pass the leaders in the late going for a 1:53.1 score in another Male pace. The Bettor's Delight-London Eye gelding was winless in 2015. Smart Rokker (Jonathan Roberts) and early leader Elite Awards (M.Miller) were second and third respectively.

Corey Callahan led all drivers with three wins, Vic Kirby had a double. Joe Hundertpfund and Dylan Davis haltered two winners each.

Marv Bachrad