Booze Cruzin wins at Dover

On a Summer-like Monday, April 5, the accent was on speed. Booze Cruzin won the $40,000 Preferred/Handicap pace and Solano and Delivered From Zin continue to step up winning the $38,000 Delaware Special and $30,000 Open paces respectively.

In the feature, Tim Tetrick rolled Booze Cruizin away quickly in the feature, a field reduced to six when Victor Vuitton N was scratch. After reaching the half in :57. Broekhuis Stable's Art's Conquest-Cruzin Suzin gelding sped up the pace before turning on a :27.2 final panel to score his first local win in three 2010 starts since arriving from Chicago. Blissfull Silence closing strongly for Ron Pierce for second in front of That's Justice and Vince Copeland. Booze Cruizin has now banked $734,359 lifetime.

Solano, claimed for $25,000 five weeks ago, romped to his fourth consecutive impressive victory for Kathleen Wyatt and trainer Johnny Waite lowering his career speed record to 1:50.1 to win the $38,000 Del. Special for the second straight week. Mike Cole drove the No Pan Intended-Bloodstock Nihilator five-year-old opening up a big lead on the final turn on the way to victory. Kelly's Spur closed for second with Corey Callahan while Art Director and Brad Hanners finished third.

In the $30,000 Open/Handicap, Delivered From Zin, claimed for $20,000 after back back-to-back wins in February by Mike Casalino and Dylan Davis. Then after a loss, continued moving up in class. Since then the Sealed N Delivered-Zinful gelding has won his last four starts with the latest a 1:50.3 lifetime best. Corey Callahan wheeled Delivered From Zin to the outside on the final turn and rocketed past the leaders for an easy victory. Bad Rusty (Ross Wolfenden) was second with Ideal Trick (Tim Tetrick) third. This marked a double for the owner, trainer and driver.

Another streaking horse, Melvin's Dream won his fifth in a row and ninth in 10 starts this year when Tim Tetrick piloted a 1:49.3 victory, the first sub-1:50 mile of the year at the track. Purchased early in the year by Ian Fromowitz, the altered son of Delaware stallion Gambler's Dream-KG's Starlet has only a second, beaten a nose, at the Meadowlands in February. Estero Bay (Tony Morgan) cut out sizzling fractions and held on to finish second. Harlingen Hanover (Roger Plante) lived up to his reputation of closing fast to be third.

Ron Pierce moved Big Bad Bosley into the lead at the three quarters and said farewell to his seven rivals in route to a 1:51.3 victory in a $19,500 4&5-Year-Old pace. Scott Dillon and Scott Pushard owned the Cam's Card Shark-Scarletas Dream gelding, a winner of four of nine races this year. Bushwood Z Tam (Tetrick) was a strong second with Roy Orbisong (Daryl Bier) along for third.

Pierce then followed up by teaming with Baron Racing Stable's Mr. Excellent for a new record 1:51 performance in a $21,000 Male pace. Arizona Liar (Vic Kirby) and early leader Print It (Roberts) were second and third. It was the second win for Pierce and trainer Josh Green.

Irwin Samelman's Cosmic Illusion N, a 10-year-old Fake Left-Cosmic Quest gelding set a career record of 1:51.3 winning the $17,000 Male pace with Frank Milby driving. Artciano (Bret Brittingham) was next with Capote (Wolfenden) the show horse.

The longshot on the program was Arty Foster's DVCFlyingfrenchman stopping the timer in a lifetime best 1:53.3 at 25-1 odds for Brandon Givens to win a $16,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Male pace. (Dover)