Versado takes $35,000 Dover preferred pace

Versado rang out the month of February scoring his fourth win of the meet overpowering five foes in a 1:50.1 front-pacing mile in the $35,000 Preferred Handicap on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Dover Downs while Rusty’s All In returned to the $30,000 Delaware Special with a 1:50 triumph. For the third time this meet Corey Callahan drove seven winners.

Versado had little trouble taking the lead and never relinquished it en route to his fourth win of the year, including a Presidential series elimination, for KDM Stables Corp. The six-year-old altered son of Dragon Again–Beach Jenny trained by Nick Surick was driven by Pat Berry to his second win in his last three outings. Summer Camp closed well for Jon Roberts to finish second in front of Adventure Bound reined by Jim Morand. Versado added to season-leading total of $83,580.His 32 career win lifts his lifetime earnings to $852,278.

Rusty’s All In dropped out of the Preferred into the $30,000 Delaware Special and never-was-headed recording his third win of 2013. Carter racing and Carter Racing Stable—own the Western Hanover-Allamerican Nadia seven-year-old conditioned by Mike Hall of the Doug Lewis Stable. The win was one of five for the sport’s leading driver Corey Callahan.

Wee Brother N with Ross Wolfenden finished second ending a two-race win streak. Samandar went a big trip for Eric Carlson and took third money. Rusty’s All In lifted his season’s earnings to $67,250 and $462,689 lifetime.

On the sub-feature docket, in a $16,500 Winners-Over Male pace, Idealist set a new personal mark of 1:51 as Jim Morand chauffeured the 10-year-old Western Ideal-Carolache gelding to his fourth win in eight starts since Jan. 1. Louise Kinsey conditions Idealist for Bill and Barbara Kinsey. Cam B Zipper (Eric Carlson) led for the early fractions and held on for second. Panfully Cool (Jim King) was third.

Smooth Transition equaled his lifetime best win time of 1:52.2 as Corey Callahan piloted a third consecutive win for the Yankee Skyscraper-Miss Bootsy gelding winner of a $16,000 4&5-Year-Old pace. Dave McCaffrey trains the winner of three of eight starts this season. Chief Cruiser (Allan Davis) was runner-up. Stonebridge Comet (George Dennis) was the show horse.

In another $16,000 event for young pacers, Callahan guided Atomic Bliss home in 1:52 lifetime record clocking. Keith Murray and trainer Jason Skinner own the Blissfull Hall-Snapy A N gelding. Casimir Longshot (Ross Wolfenden) was next with Perma Grin (Ron Pierce) the third finisher.

Vic Kirby sat in for owner-trainer Daryl Bier and drove One More Miracle to his third straight win and fourth in five starts this year to win a $15,500 4&5-Year-Old pace. The Western Terror-Mib Hanover gelding was followed home by Last Shot Leeton (Eric Carlson) second and Bettor’s Arena (Ron Pierce).

Corey Callahan’s seven winners give him 212 for the meet’s 86 racing days and 135 in 2013. Mike Hall of the Doug Lewis Stable with two training wins now leads Josh Green 67-63 in the standings.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing on Saturday and Sunday in March and April. Sunday post time is 1 p.m.

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