Jake's Nordic takes Open Trot again

January 31, 2008

Two of the top three trots of the week on Wednesday at Dover Downs resulted in victories by a nose. In the $32,000 Mares Open Handicap Trot, Jake's Nordic prevailed while Grand Photo won a big-hearted $24,000 winners-over trot. Tim Tetrick and Tony Morgan dominated the driver column with six and three wins, respectively.

Dan and Tom Courtemanche's classy warhorse Jake's Nordic showed his class again as Tim Curtin drove the 9-year-old Keystone Nordic gelding to his second win of the year and 58th in his career, holding off a determined bid from Rose Run Flash in the stretch for a 1:56.1 victory by a nose. Saint Johns Boy and Ross Wolfenden tested the winner during a serious duel on the backstretch but Jake's Nordic persevered after Rose Run Flash appeared to collar him in the lane. Mighty Moses came on for Jim Morand to take third money. Don Boss Vita made his first start since early 2005 and broke stride at the start.

In the $29,000 Jr. Open, Grand Photo turned in a gritty 1:57 victory. Bob Shahan moved the SJ's Photo gelding into the lead in front of the grandstand and then had to fight off a stubborn challenge from White Hollow Bob and George Dennis from the half until mid stretch before reaching the finish line a head in front of Travelin Lite closing from a two-hole trip with Mike Cole driving. Go Nano Go hustled three wide around the last turn and got up for third with Tim Curtin at the controls. It was Grand Photo's second win in a row for owners Jeff and Jewell Marsh and Cindy Issel.

In another $19,500 trot, John Zicchino, Kevin McDermott and Wayne Chrebet's Stunt Man Hall took over at the start, the had to shake off a tough Magic Swan effort after the half and then pulled off to a 1:56.1 triumph, his third win in his last four starts and driver Morgan's third win on the program. Breeze Hill Will closed along the pylons for Corey Callahan to finsh second in front of Magic Swan and Vic Kirby holding on for third.

In a third $19,500 division, Tetrick moved Parent Racing and Crystal Ball Stables' Litigator from seventh after the quarter up to follow Sweet Daddy Siki and Jim Morand working up on the outside. Sweet Daddy Siki finally got to the front at the three quarters but Tetrick steered the Valley Victor gelding to the lead turning for home. Sweet Daddy Siki held on for second with Laser Lavec and George Dennis closing to finish third.

Earlier, Tetrick and Richard Ashley's Art Lee stormed from far back to win the $15,500 Delaware pace in 1:55.2. Champagne Charley (Jonathan Roberts) led until nearing the wire to finish second. Dragon's Blood (Morgan) was the show horse.

Silver D Moon turned in a strong 1:53 triumph for Dennis driving for Howard Taylor and Harness The Power to win a $30,000 claiming pace. Saucy Master N (Morgan) was runner-up in fron of Mako Sica (Kevin Sizer).

In a $25,000 claimer, Richard Zulick's In Hot Pursuit came on strongly in the stretch to overtake front-pacing GE's Jackson (Callahan) approaching the finish line for a 1:54.2 victory, one of two for the sport's leading driver in 2008, Morgan. Glitter For Prez (Wolfenden) was the third finisher.

Morand drove two winners for trainer George Teague and owner-trainer Brewer Adams also had two winners, both driven by Tetrick. (Dover Downs)

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