Somebeachsomewhere lass in third straight

DOVER, Del.— Odds On Alpha beats the harness racing odds-on-favorite McArma to win her third straight in $14,000 4&5-Year-Old Mares Winners-Over pace, Monday, Feb. 9 at Dover Downs.

Vic Kirby left quickly from post 8 with Odds On Alpha. After taking the lead the Somebeachsomewhere – Odds On Arttoheart five-year-old set all the fractions on the way to her third consecutive triumph. Ross Wolfenden pulled race-favorite McArma out of fourth and began his challenge as the field turned for home. McArma moved up as close as half-a-length but Odds On Alpha was not to be beaten. Megan Rogers Racing owns the winner, trained by Nick Surick, who is now three-for-four in 2015 with a third. McArma was second with Romanascape (Jim Morand) getting up for third.

Seawind Ginger led off the card with a 1:54.2 triumph in another $14,000 pace for young mares. Brit Evans and Foulk Stables own the four-year-old daughter of Mach Three – Seawind Gabriella. Annabeth (George Dennis) and Rachelle's Beat (Ron Pierce) finished second and third respectively.

Velocity Sonja also recorded her third consecutive win and sixth in her last seven outings, turning in a 1:53.2 score in a $13,000 34&5-Year-Old Mares pace. Megan Deering owns the Art's Chip – Trelise Hanover four-year-old trained by Dylan Davis. Fashion Showdown (Callahan) was second best. Hidden Land (Roger Plante) finished third. The win was the second for driver Allan Davis.

John McGill's Star Keeper and Alexachase put a head-to-head stretch battle in an $11,500 female pace with Corey Callahan and Star Keeper, also conditioned by Surick, holding on for a 1:55 victory. Alexachase (Ron Pierce) was a close second with Taylor Rei (Montrell Teague) getting third money.

Callahan added four more wins to his meet leading total. Pierce, Kirby, George Dennis and trainer Surick had two wins each.

JUST BETTOR LEADS NINE IN DOVER $20,000-$25,000 CLAIMER

For the first time, after four straight starts from post 8 in 2015, Just Bettor drew post 6 in the $20,000-$25,000 4&5-Year-Old Claiming Handicap pace, Tuesday Feb. 10 at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

Ken Wood, Bill Ditmar and Steve Iaquinta own Just Bettor, trained by Eric Ell. Last week, the five-year-old, driven by Vic Kirby, led until the final steps of a 1:52.4 mile but had to settle for a third-place finish missing by a neck. In the blanket finish. Wade Wyatt’s Swift As A Shadow, was second by a nose; Jonathan Roberts will drive, and Bettor And Bold, owned by Tim Tetrick and CR Racing was a neck back in fourth.

The rest of the field includes Allan Davis driving Reg Hazzard and Legacy Racing’s UF Dragons Cruiser, Harvey Eisman’s Touchdown Mindale, with Corey Callahan, Middle Aged Crazy, racing for O’Tool, McCaffrey and the Somones, handled by Ross Wolfenden. Jim Jacobs’ Button Fly is in the hands of Jason Lynch,  Wayne King’s LA Camcharger piloted by Tony Morgan and LA Express Stables’ Brees Creek and George Dennis.

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