Published: November 25, 2020 at 9:19 p.m. ET
Tim Tetrick found Fortify in a perfect position to pounce on a vulnerable favorite and win the $ 325,000 progression pace for three year old stallions and geldings at Dover Downs on Wednesday November 25th.
A field of eight pacemakers in the second year stood for the lucrative event, with the outstanding players No Lou Zing and Cattlewash taking seven and eight places respectively in the late season. Both stallions were placed forward of the gate but the tattoo artist (Yannick Gingras) passed them all by post six. Favorite No Lou Zing (Dexter Dunn) carried on with front-end intentions but paid a price to take the lead. The tattoo artist led the field through an opening quarter of: 25.2 with No Lou Zing clearing up just before a half of: 53.
Fortify finished fifth behind Cattlewash (David Miller) second choice, forcing Miller’s hand by shifting into the outer river. That move flushed Cattlewash from fourth rank, and Miller pushed his load down his back first. The third quarter was hit in 1: 20.2, with Tetrick sensing that this was the time to go far with Fortify three. Cattlewash didn’t advance, but Fortify was in the distance, threatening pacemaker No Lou Zing. In the deep, No Lou Zing fought valiantly, but Fortify’s fresher legs proved the difference. Fortify set off the timer in 1: 48.2, half a length better than his stablemate. Catch The Fire (Mike Wilder) joined between horses to complete the triactor.
“I liked the way he drove last week,” said Tetrick after the win, one of his five cards. “I knew I needed a trip in the final. It all worked out because I was able to follow Cattlewash. However, I was disappointed that he (Cattlewash) couldn’t carry me any further and that I had to walk three. “
Fortify (Sweet Lou – Cant Stop Me Now), a Diamond Creek Racing homebred, took his fourth win of the season in 14 starts. Since relocating to trainer Nancy Takter’s stable in the off-season, Fortify has put together a 3-1-2 summary from nine games.
“It’s a pleasure to be with him,” said Takter. “The owners wanted to skip the Breeders Crown and I’m glad they did. He will be returning to Diamond Creek and will return as a four year old. “
The 2020 progress step completes the 2020 Grand Circuit activities.
Two DSBF finals valued at $ 100,000 for two-year-old colts and fillies on the Progress Pace card took place in Dover Downs.
The “Ramona Hubbard” for the filly pacemaker was won by Littlebagoftricks (Roddy’s Bags Again-Bit Of Trick) in 1: 52.4, a new record for life and commitment for the filly. Driver Russell Foster engineered the win for coach / co-owner Josh Green and co-owners Charles Cochran, III and Richard Lombardo. The filly was Hey Hey Dbay, followed by Stealing Bases.
The Colt Pacers saw a big surprise when Downtown Show (Delmarvalous-Slow Down Rita) scored a first victory in 1:54 for driver Allan Davis and trainer Les Givens 59-1. Owned by Henry Faragalli III, Arthur Feeney and (daughter of Ramona Hubbard) Terantic Givens’ Nanticoke Racing, Inc. Second was Harrington DSBF final winner Subban, Zs Dream was third.
Ontario Sires Stakes graduate and 2019 O’Brien Award winner Sunny Dee makes her mark in the United States after a recent sale to U.S. connections. The four year old won the $ 20,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace for driver Dexter Dunn in 1: 50.1.
Sunny Dee (Sunshine Beach – west of LA) was trained by Mike Hall and is now owned by Let It Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing LLC.
(with files from DSBF)
