Artistic Fella wins '07 debut

The 2007 Classic Series got underway at Dover Downs Monday night and Artistic Fella got back on the winning track as well, coasting to a clear victory in 1:50.3 with Cat Manzi aboard. Other Classic division winners were JM Van Gogh (1:54.3) in the Classic Trot, who dominated after the scratch of Vivid Photo, and Marnie Hall (1:51.3) in the Mare Pace.

Artistic Fella, who won 11 of 18 starts last year at age 3, including 10 in a row, made his first start of the 2007 campaign a winning one with his score in the Classic. Manzi put him in the flow following the cover of JK CU Later before tipping wide and cruising home in the :28.2 final panel. JK CU Later finished second in the race.

In the Classic Distaff for mare pacers, Burning Point, the 5-2 betting choice, had a chance to win as driver George Brennan put her on the front end and carved out comfortable fractions of :27.3 and :56.1. But pressure in the middle of the mile from Armbro Davina left Burning Point vulnerable and Marnie Hall used a slingshot move to take command and pace home to the victory.

Tony Morgan directed JM Van Gogh to victory in the Classic Trot. They took command of the race at about the quarter pole, reached in :27.4, and were never threatened throughout fractions of :57 and 1:26. The 7-t betting choice held off Med Vac with Man About Town taking third.

Two $60,000 splits for trotting mares went to Buck I St. Pat and Spare Time Rozie. Buck I St. Pat enjoyed a two-hole trip behind Mystical Sunshine until the stretch drive when she zipped to the front and trotted away to a two-length score in 1:54.2 for driver Dave Palone and trainer Mickey Burke.

Spare Time Rozie exhanged the lead with Susie's Magic, then took the lead for good and won by one-half length in 1:55.2. Tony Morgan drove the 4-year-old mare by Earl for her Ontario owners.

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