Morgan wins seven, including Dover's Open Trot

It was another Tony Morgan night at Dover Downs as the sport's leading dash driver in early 2008 piloted Self Professed from last at the half to a 1:55.4 victory in the $26,000 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday. A 25-1 shot, Grand Photo also used a come-from-behind tactic to win the $23,000 Jr. Open. Morgan has won 62 races since Jan. 1.

In the feature, while Jabez and driver Matt Butcher, and Tim Curtin driving Jake's Nordic, waged a tenacious head-to-head battle from the quarter until mid stretch, Morgan drawing post eight with Self Professed began to move from last after the half and followed forward moving cover provided by Rose Run Flash and Mike Cole along the backstretch and to the top of the lane. Self Professed, owned by Martin Scharf and trained by track leader Josh Green, then rolled up on the outside of a five-horse wall with the most speed to reach the finish line in 1:55.4. Elvis Cole teamed with Corey Callahan traveled the passing lane to get up for second in front of Rose Run Flash. Mighty Moses with Jim Morand was a close up fourth in front of Jabez.

Two races earlier in a sub feature $23,000 Jr. Open Trot, Bob Shahan found room to get to the outside in deep stretch with Grand Photo and then bolted home a 1:56.4 winner. Spunky Vic with Tony Morgan took second in front of White Hollow Bob, the early leader, driven by George Dennis. Jeff and Jewell Marsh and Cindy Issel own the SJ's Photo gelding, now a winner of $101,533 lifetime.

Delbert Cain's homebred daughter of CR Commando, Go Sassy Go, made good use of a change of post positions from eight to one and turned back seven rivals in a $17,50 conditioned trot notching a 1:57.1 win. Stunt Man Hall (Morgan) saw a two-race win streak snapped finishing second. Magic Swan (Vic Kirby) was the show finisher.

Callahan drove Greg Price's On His Way to victory in a $13,200 pace. Bucks Machine (Eddie Davis Jr.) was runner-up. Swinging Pete (Roger Plante) closed to finish third.

Tyler A, with Morgan driving for Brent Outten and Virginia Fisher, gave trainer Josh Green a double, to win the $25,000 claiming pace in 1:53.4. Truly Chris (George Dennis) finished second in front of Intimidator Three (Callahan).

Topping the undercard was a $17,500 conditioned trot. Clayton Delaney, a 10-year-old Delaware-bred gelding, overtook Breeze Hill Will (Callahan) nearing the finish line for a lifetime-best clocking of 1:55.4. Cole drove the son of Oak Grove Star for Allan Davis and trainer Andrew Fulton, to his second win in three starts this year. Altered States (Morgan) closed strongly to finish third. (Dover)

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