Come Together wins 10th in a row at Dover

Come Together continues as hottest horse at Dover Downs, winning his 10th race in a row while Nova Artist put on a fast-closing show to win the 30,000 Delaware Special Handicap to highlight the Thursday program.

 

Since last fall, it has really "come together" for the Artsplace-Pleasantville 7-year-old gelding rolling up 10 consecutive trips to the winner's circle. His 10th win was exceptional racing the entire 1:52.1 mile on the outside for driver Corey Callahan, trainer Mike Hall and Claim To Fame LLC who owns the sharp pacer with Kent Harper. Tampa Bay Escape (Bret Brittingham) was runner-up with Fissato (Allan Davis) the third finisher.

 

Come Together has changed hands three times since the streak began stepping up from the $12,500 claiming ranks to win for $15,000 and this time with a $25,000 tag.

 

In the $30,000 feature Nova Artist scored his fourth victory in a top event this meet, one of Allan Davis' three wins.

 

Racing a far-back fifth as the field entered the backstretch, Nova Artist then picked up ground in a hurry joining the leader by the three quarters. Reaching the top of the stretch, the Real Artist-Avon Lady 6 year old was four wide and then rushed to the lead recording his first win of the New Year.

 

Eddie and Kathy Davis own the winner conditioned by their son Martin Davis. Nova Artist, last season's Horse of the Meet at Dover Downs, has now banked $629,717 in his career. Dirty Devil closed for second with Ross Wolfenden with Rusty's All In and Callahan third.

 

Harry von Knoblauch's Mainland Key returned to 2012 form in the $24,000 Open Pace. Eric Carlson steered the Peter Tritton-trained Shiney Key-Eastwood Bluejeans gelding to a 1:51 victory overtaking Adventure Bound and Ron Pierce in the last stride. All Week, with Wolfenden, finished third. Earlier, the Tritton owned-and-trained Wee Brother N notched his first win on this side of the Pacific, a 1:52.1 win in an $11,000 pace.  (Dover Downs)