Pierce wins five again

DOVER, Del.— Odds On Alpha wins the $14,000 Mares feature, her fourth win in five starts on a windy and cold Monday, Feb. 23 at Dover Downs. Harness racing driver Ron Pierce who drove five winners Sunday, repeated the effort.

With Ron Pierce in the bike, Megan Rogers Racing's Odds On Alpha, trained by Nick Surick, had a perfect drive sitting behind raced favorite Velocity Sonja (Allan Davis) until turning for home and the Somebeachsomewhere – Odds On Arttoheart five-year-old rocketed down the lane for a 1:53 lifetime fastest victory. Velocity Sonya, no stranger to the winner's circle herself this meet with five-wins already, finished second for the second straight time. Seawind Ginger (Jonathan Roberts) who won her second straight last Monday, closed strongly for third money.

Meet leading driver Corey Callahan piloted check getter Lindysbathinbeauty to victory in 1:55.4 to win another $14,000 distaff pace. Tina Clark and Joe Clark own the winner, also by Somebeachsomewhere from Sunshine Sister, in her second win of 2015 for trainer Bobby Clark. Hidden Land (Roger Plante) continued her fondness with second place. It was the second in a row, fifth time second in six starts and seven times second this meet. Skinnydip Hanover (Daryl Bier) was the show finisher. ,

Vic Kirby pulled Jeremes Sweetheart, owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, to the outside at the top of the stretch and streaked to a 1:53 score in a$13,000 Mares Winners-Over test. Twin B Heartland (Callahan) overtook front-pacing Scootin For Joy (Pierce) for second place. .

Winning horses continue to add victories. Green Valley Training's A Wild Money Maker (Kirby) won for the fifth time in her last six outings in a $12,500 4&5-Year-Old pace. Foulk Stables' Valerya notched her third win in four for Jonathan Roberts winning an $8,000 Mares pace in 1:52. Al Moor and trainer-driver Eddie Davis Jr.'s Givetheladyabeer won for the third time in four starts and fifth time this meet coring a 1:54.4 triumph in a Delaware $7,500-$10,000 Claiming/Handicap.

Virginia Louthan made the winner's circle twice with mares she bred from her own stallion No Spin Zone and also owns and trains; Spin Vision a 1:54.4 winner of three in-a-row and five times this meet, and Megginspin for a second win in five races. Both Ms. Louthan horses were driven by Ron Pierce.

Pierce duplicated his Sunday performance driving five winners. Callahan, Roberts and Kirby had two wins apiece.

JUST BETTOR DRAWS OUTSIDE IN TUESDAY $20,000-$25,000 CLAIMER

Just Bettor is back where he has raced so well, starting from the outside in a $20,000-$25,000 4&5-Year-Old Claiming Handicap pace. This week he leaves from post 7 in the Tuesday Feb. 24 feature race at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

During the span of eight races, the Eric Ell-conditioned gelding owned by Ken Wood, Bill Ditmar and Steve Iaquinta, and driven by Vic Kirby, boasts two wins, five second and a third In most starts Just Bettor has been involved in nose, head and neck finishes. 

Better And Bold drew the rail for two weeks straight, one of which ended with a victory. Trace Tetrick will drive the young gelding for his brother, Tim Tetrick and CC Racing. 

Allan Davis will drive Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing’s UF Dragons Cruiser, from the rail with Wade Wyatt’s good finishing Swift As A Shadow will be handled by George Dennis. Ed Maas, Arlene Paisley and Nanticoke Racing’s. King Royalty and Jim Morand should profit from post 2. The rest of the field is made up by Jim Jacobs’ Button Fly, driven by Jason Lynch and Wayne King’s LA Camcharger with Tony Morgan.

Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are "dark" days. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.

Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.

Marv Bachrad