PACIFIC PHILLY, BIKINI BOTTOM, FRITZIE BUNNY WIN DISTAFF FEATURES

DOVER, Del --- Tight finishes marked the Tuesday, April 8 distaff features at Dover Downs where Pacific Philly won the feature, Bikini Bottom, the $24,000 and Fritzie Bunny the $22,000 Mares Winners-Over paces.

In the $25,000 feature, Eddie Davis Jr. pulled Bob Messick’s Pacific Philly out of fifth after the half and followed Dream-A-While with Tim Tetrick battling race favorite Ball Gown A and Eric Goodell for the lead. The trio fanned out in the stretch with Pacific Philly closing the fastest to win a three-mare photo in 1:51.2, her lifetime best. Dream-A-While was right there second and Ball Gown A was inches back in third. The win was the third of 2008 for Pacific Philly now a winner of $89,260 this year and $497,979 in her career.

Eric Goodell, who notched a driving double, guided Jeff Eckburg’s Bikini Bottom to a 1:52.2 score, her first of the season, in another tight finish in the sub-feature $24,000 Winners-Over pace. Tug River Aussie also came from off-the-pace for Jonathan Roberts to finish second while Corey Callahan got Poker Mom going late and closed with a rush for the show spot.

Fritzie Bunnie, a 14-1 shot owned by Bill and Rich Fritts, won a tight three-horse photo in the $22,000 Mares pace. Mike Cole drove the Precious Bunny-sired winner to her second win in 2008. Playus A Happytune closed between horses for Bob Kinsey Jr. to just miss. Unn and Tony Morgan was a head back in third.

Ricky Pryor’s Shesa Troublemaker recorded her fourth win of the season, equaling her career best 1:52.3, in a $16,000 Mares pace. Alberts Drifter N (Bret Brittingham) finished second with Sport’n Cami (Corey Callahan) third. A happy group of ladies wearing red hats greeted winning driver Tim Tetrick in the winners-circle after the race. More than 100 member of the Red Hat Society of Delaware spent the day at the races.

Rafaella Seelster was on the engine in a 1:53 triumph in the first of two-$14,500 Filly and Mare paces. Tony Morgan drove the Camluck mare to one of his two wins for owners Rich and Pat Arndt .In The Mist N (Tim Tetrick), third, was placed second when Ain’t Goin Back (Ben Stafford Jr.) broke stride just before the finish line and was set back to third.

Ben Stafford Jr. drove Jerry’s Girl, a four-year-old daughter of Dragon Again that he owns with Ed Gold, to an impressive front-pacing 1:53.2 victory in a $14,500 Filly and Mares pace. Besmitten By A Vet (Vic Kirby) rolled home second in front of race favorite Holme In A Moment (Eddie Davis Jr.).

Jeanne McInnis and Nancy Jackson’s Jay Low made the win column for the first time this year as Eddie Davis Jr. steered the Walton Hanover mare to a 1:53.1 career best clocking. Kim Crawford N (Frank Milby) was runner-up. West Coast Arturo (Jonathan Roberts) took show money.

Corey Callahan joined Tony Morgan and Eric Goodell with two driving wins.

Racing continues for only two more days, Wednesday and meet closing day this Thursday, April 10. Post time is 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.