Rebel with an upset cause at Dover

March 17, 2009

Unheralded Kentucky Rebel pulled a 25-1 upset in the $37,500 Delaware Special Handicap at Dover Downs on Monday while Ron Pierce had a five-win night.

Rodney Mitchell and trainer Johnny Waite's Kentucky Rebel stepped up in class after a 9-1 surprise last week to win for the third time in four starts. The win was the 999th in driver Mike Cole's career.

Art Director closed strongly for Tim Tetrick to finish second. Mr. Apples, winner of this event last week, got away last in the seven-horse field and closed well to finish third with Jim Morand in the bike.

Kentucky Rebel is an altered son of Armbro Operative-Kentucky Scarlet and now has won three of seven 2009 starts and banked $44,170 this year.

That's Justice, a Village Jove-Power Persuasion gelding, raced into the lead heading to the three quarters for Mark Gingrich and then held off Devil's Ivy, with Pierce, for a 1:51 score in a $22,000 pace. Marchand took the early lead for Corey Callahan and held on for third.

Caerleon Hanover was Pierce's fifth winning drive in the $26,000 winners-over pace. Max Walton and Greg Papaleo own the Western Ideal-Carmellos gelding, now a four-time winner this year. Benns Shotgun, driven by Vic Kirby, closed quickly to edge Days Desire and Roger Plante for second.

In the $19,000 pace, driver Eric Goodell, trainer Josh Green and owner Larry Baron collaborated for a second win when Mach To The Limit scored a 1:53.1 victory holding off Fortune's Jenna (Pierce) at the wire. Right To The Top (Jim Morand) was the show finisher. The win was the third in five races this year for the Mach Three-Chargedtothelimit gelding.

Caspian Prince, handled by Ross Wolfenden, won his second straight taking the $17,000 pace with a 1:52.2 mile. Lightningjacksback(Tim Curtin) finished second but was disqualified for interference and place fourth. Lennox NZ (Jon Roberts) was placed second with Real Magician (Brandon Givens) placed third.

Richard Ashley and Elbert Harrington own Caspian Prince, a Shady Character-Grecian Formula 5 year old, trained by Joe Hundertpfund.

Brett Brittingham drove Larry Hughes' Artciano to a 1:54.3 victory in a $16,500 pace. The Artiscape-Armbro Awesome gelding held off a challenge from Off Parole (Tetrick) in the stretch to record his second win in his last three outings. Ted Or Alive (Morgan) was third. (Dover Downs)

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