Major Herbie wins from the outside

Dover, DE --- Starting from post eight was not a burden for Major Herbie who closed strongly in the stretch to record a 1:57.2 victory in the $16,500 winners-over feature trot on Wednesday, Mar. 6 on a sloppy track at Dover Downs.

Fotowon photo

Post eight was no handicap for Major Herbie on Wednesday.

Ron Pierce drove the winner to Major Herbie’s third victory in four races, overtaking the early leader, Allmar Surprise, after turning down the lane, and rolled on for his 19th lifetime victory. David Rovine, VIP Internet and Seafood Delight stables own the 5-year-old ridgling by Here Comes Herbie and out of Independent Dame who has won $26,390 this year and $230,744 in his career. I’m So Striking also closed with a rush to finish second and Windsun Galaxie (Eric Carlson) came on to finish third.

Ron Pierce had a driving triple. Ross Wolfenden won two races.

-- Marv Bachrad

The Meadows
Monroe County opened a daylight lead on the field Wednesday and had just enough to hold on, springing a 14-1 upset in a division of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial at The Meadows. Kandian Club took the other $12,500 opening leg split of the series for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare trotters which honors the memory of the late Mary Wohlmuth, longtime manager and hostess of the 2:00 Club at The Meadows. Monroe County charged to the front from post seven for trainer/driver Wil Yoder and had little trouble handling the “good” surface. Meanwhile, Mistress Valentine, the 3-2 favorite, was lingering at the back of the pack following an early break. She rallied late but fell a half-length short, as Monroe County prevailed in a career-best 1:58.2. Glidetowin was a distant third. John D. McMullen, Jr. and Michelle McMullen own Monroe County, a 3-year-old daughter of Glidemaster-Ladyvic who has won four of eight lifetime starts. In the $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Moveoutofmyway captured his second straight race with his new-found “Silky Sullivan” style, coming from last at the half to score in a career-best 1:51.4. JJ Gladiator was second, three-quarters of a length back, with Marty’s Charm third. Dave Palone piloted the 4-year-old Dontgetitmyway-Peachy Yankee gelding for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Frank Baldachino. It was one of three wins on the 12-race card for Palone.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Billy Dobson is attempting to win his fourth consecutive driving title at Saratoga Casino and Raceway and already in the season’s second night of racing, the 28-year-old reinsman scored a four bagger. On opening day it was Bruce Aldrich, Jr. who piloted four winners but on Wednesday, Dobson hit a grand slam of his own, prevailing with favorites Benjamin T Hanover, Ski Daddy and JK Panache while scoring at 6-1 with invader Mach Me Bad. Chris Marino trains Mach Me Bad (Mach Three), who prevailed in his local debut after toughing out a first over journey before stopping the timer in 1:58.3. Aldrich piloted a pair of winners on the Wednesday card as well, so he holds a modest one win lead in the driver standings very early on.