$25,000 Mares Open won gate-to-wire

Shes Pukka N wired the field in the $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Wednesday night.

Harness racing driver Tony Morgan sent Shes Pukka N where she is most comfortable, loose on the lead. Shes Pukka N set fractions of :27, 55.4 (28.4) and 1:23 (27.1).

Tony Morgan drove a masterful race, backing off the half to a 28.4 quarter. That may have been the difference in the race. Soho Burning Love A, the 2/5 betting favorite, left from the outside and settled into the 4th position at the quarter.

Driver Tim Tetrick then marched 1st up with Soho Burning Love A and coverless past the half and drew alongside of Shes Pukka N at the three-quarter pole. But Shes Pukka N showed her grit and determination and did not let Soho Burning Love A move past her in the stretch.

The last half mile was paced in :55 flat, the last quarter of a mile was in 27.4. Shes Pukka N won by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:50.4 and paid $6 for the win. Shes Pukka N (Betterthancheddar) is owned by Peter Paul Venturini of
Rockaway, NJ. Brian Malone is her trainer.

Soho Burning Love A fought hard but finished 2nd for trainer Jim King Jr. Feeling Sweet benefitted from a perfect journey along the rail and snagged the show spot. Joe Columbo trains and Mike Cole had the driving assignment.

SHES PUKKA N REPLAY

Tim Tetrick had 4 wins on the betting card.

On Thursday, Dover Downs will entertain (4) $100,000 race finals for the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund for 3-year-old pacers and trotters.

They will compete in races 4,6,8 and 10. There will also be (2) non- betting consolation races for the Delaware
Standardbred Breeders’ Fund. They will compete at 4 pm and 4:10 pm. Post time for Dover Downs is 4:30 pm.

Dover Downs live harness racing will be dark from December 17 thru December 26 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Racing at Dover Downs will resume on Monday December 27

For full race results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs