Roddy packs rivals bags

Roddy's Bags Again held off Lather Machine to win the $37,500 Preferred Pace at Dover Downs on Monday, while Clinton Longshot, a close second last week, won the $35,000 Delaware Special and Quick And Deadly took the $27,500 Open Pace. Brain Sears lead all drivers with four wins, Tony Morgan had three, Tim Tetrick and Ron Pierce each won two races.

Jim Morand steered Roddy's Bags Again into the lead in front of the grandstand and then bid adieu to his seven rivals en route to a 1:50.1 victory in the week's top event. The Dragon Again 5 year old staved off a challenge from Lather Machine at the three-quarters and held his archrival at bay during the stretch in his third win in his last four starts. Lather Machine, piloted by Tetrick was a game second with Gold Dust Beach and David Miller third.

The victory moved Roddy's Bags Again just short of six figures in 2007 earnings with $98,392 for breeder-owner Robert Messick of Milford, Del. The Tim Torbert-conditioned campaigner has now banked $662,280 in his career.

Mildred Ventriglio's Quick And Deadly turned in a strong 1:51.1 performance to win the $27,500 Open Handicap Pace in 1:51.1. Morgan moved the Western Hanover gelding to the front on the clubhouse turn and then withstood Print It and Pierce from. the backstretch until deep in the stretch. Artchie Andrews and Sears closed to nip Print It for place.

Clinton Longshot took no prisoners in the $35,000 Delaware Special Handicap. Sears took the Dauntless Bunny 5 year old right to the lead and cut all the fractions in a career fastest 1:51 mile to give Sears one of his four wins. Prince Of Luck was second for Ross Wolfenden. Poppy Lustre N, handled by Tetrick, closed well from last in the field of six but had to settle for third. The second victory of the season for Clinton Longshot boosted owner Majorie Richards' earnings to $53,050 this year and $137,796 lifetime.

Pierce won the first of two $21,000 winners-over paces guiding What A View to a 1:52.1 score for Donick Stables and trainer Wayne Givens. It was the Cam's Card Shark gelding's third win in his last five races. Hot Lather, driven by Morgan, was a strong second in front of Real Good Thing with Wolfenden.

Vantastic Wizzard was strongest in the stretch for Pierce holding off Armbro David and Miller and Pukpuk Power N with Sears in a 1:53 mile to win another $21,000 winners-over section. It was the first win of the year for the Three Wizzards 6 year old who previously had been second and third twice each.

In another $21,000 winners-over pace, Bob Aerenson, Ross Weiner and Wendy Crissman's Skedaddle Hanover notched a 1:52.1 win, one of three for Morgan, for his third win in the last four races. Buster Seelster and Pierce outclosed Wizsell with Sears for second-place honors. (Dover)

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