Lucky NZ repeats at Dover

Twenty-degree temperatures could not stop Lucky NZ from winning his second straight $35,000 Preferred Handicap in a stunning 1:50.1 while Fox Valley Armor needed a 1:51 clocking to take the $26,000 Open. Mr. Apples' 1:52.2 clocking was good enough to win the $32,500 Delaware Special on a crisp Monday at Dover Downs.

In the feature, Ron Pierce moved Lucky NZ three wide at the three-quarters to overtake the leaders on the last turn and then pulled away entering the stretch. Tim Tetrick was sitting second with Sharky Osborne behind leader Prince Of Luck and Brandon Givens, but could not wait for the passing lane. Tetrick moved Sharky Osborne to the outside but too late to catch the winner. The win was the second for Lucky NZ, a 9-year-old Falcon Seelster gelding trained by Ernie Adams for Summersby Stable. Sharky Osborne was a close second with Prince Of Luck holding on for third.

While owner-trainer George Teague was at the Tattersalls Mixed Sale, his well-thought-of 4-year-old Mr. Apples, with Jim Morand at the controls, overtook pacesetting Klondike Kid and Eric Goodell in the stretch to score a 1:52.2 triumph in the $32,500 Del. Special Invitational. Wardog Hall and Brian Sears came on for third.

Fox Valley Armor, with Yannick Gingras holding the lines, battled front-pacing Home Run Hudson and Goodell in a stretch long duel, before the Sylvia Burke and Weaver Bruscemi-owned Sportsmaster gelding got up for a 1:51 victory in the $26,000 Open Pace. Marchand and Ross Wolfenden closed strongly to pick up third money. Mickey Burke, the sport's leading trainer, conditions Fox Valley Armor.

Trainer Josh Green's haltered three winners including Frank Dettore's Eagle Real One, the third win for driver Goodell, in a 1:52.2 performance in a $21,000 winners-over pace. Black Cat Bone was second best with Racsan John saving much ground with Vic Kirby closing along the rail to finish third.

The track's Horse of the Meet three seasons back, Bobnoxious, showed his class winning a $21,000 winners-over pace in 1:51.4 for owners Dan and Tom Courtemansche. Whistle Bear finished second for Brian Sears with the Givens-driven What A View third.

The Bobnoxious victory was one of two wins for driver Tim Curtin and trainer Sam Beegle. They also made the winner's circle when 7-1 shot Corporate Rrraider won a $13,000 pace in 1:53.3 for Neal Oksenberg, Greg Gehman and Ginger Tree Stable. Mount Olympus (Mike Cole) was second in front of Xlb Joker (Wolfenden).

Tetrick recorded another of his five wins steering Ken Wood's McCabe Hall to a 1:52 score in a $16,000 pace. Wynnfield Scamp (Frank Milby) rolled down the lane to finish second. Glasscutters Atom (Vic Kirby) was the show horse.

Tetrick drove Marvin Callahan's Mattjestic Art to a 1:53.3 victory in a $21,000 winners-over pace. Print It and Pierce picked up second. Mexican Coast with Jonathan Roberts was third. (Dover Downs)

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