Dover Horse of the Meet scores in feature

Apache Dame, reigning "Horse of the Meet" last season, recorded her second $26,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in a row while Kellytuck Sophie won the $18,500 sub-feature on Tuesday at Dover Downs.

 

Teamed with Ross Wolfenden, Apache Dame made short work of six rival distaffs to score a 1:51.4 victory in the week's top female event. This time it was more of a challenge as Gabrielles Girl and Corey Callahan ranged alongside down the stretch with the 9-year-old daughter of Apaches Fame-Amerissa trained by Peter Tritton persevering at the wire for her second win of the year in three 2010 starts for Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing. Lofty Widget finished third for Ron Pierce ending a personal two race-win skein.

 

Kellytuck Sophie made it two straight trips to the winner's circle in the sub-feature pace. Driven by Jon Roberts for MM&W and Graham Grace stables and trainer Bib Roberts, the 8-year-old daughter of Cam's Magic Trick-Kellytuck Ann overcame starting from outside post eight for the win. Sherri On Ice (Vince Copeland) was runner-up. Keystone Rhythm (Wolfenden) was the show finisher.

 

Race favorite Georgy Girl N escaped from being locked in fourth on the backstretch until the passing lane before Brad Hanners rolled along the "Dover Inside Driveway" to explode past her rivals for a 1:54.4 triumph in a $16,500 pace. Jaidens Fortune (Allan Davis) zipped past Remastered (Daryl Bier), third, and leader Ill Sting The Best (Mike Cole), to finish second. Owned by Carter Racing Stable, the recent New Zealand expatriate has won her last four races consecutively. The Courage Under Fire-First Sight 4 year old is trained by Bobby Myers.

 

In a $15,000 pace for females. Cantwell Bridge Stable's Lockes Of Love, piloted by Callahan, won the battle down the lane to upset Sportsfancy (Copeland) in the final strides for a 1:53 decision. Overlooked at 19-1, the longshot Blissfull Hal-Pocket Comb 6 year old won for the second time in her last three starts for trainer Bobby Clark. Itz Cherry Ripe N (George Dennis) was the show finisher. (Dover Downs)