Dover Downs Preview (Thursday 1/8/15)

While many Americans brace for the latest dramatic drop in temperatures often associated with an arctic vortex, standardbred racing owners and fans will venture to Dover Downs on Thursday evening for that track's best card of the week, one that offers a trio of solid plays.

In the sixth, a non-winners of five races or $25,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, look for Caviart Chase (Jonathan Roberts) to make immediate amends for last week's third-place finish as the 2-5 choice in this class. Caviart Chase left quickly from post five to gain command in an honest opener and maintained a quick tempo by the half in 56.4 and then was overhauled late by In The Clear (Victor Kirby) who benefited from a second over trip. Caviart Chase should be a little tighter this week and he should be able to get a breather to the half that will enable him to have plenty in reserve for the stretch drive.

Then three races later on the card in the Open for five-year-olds and under, give Bandolito (Daryl Bier) the solid backing in this affair. Although he is making his seasonal debut while several others raced last Thursday on New Year's Day, Bandolito has certainly faced much tougher over the last year while competing in the Open and Preferred ranks at several tracks. He did not draw particularly well for this outing, but Bandolito has ample talent and back class to overcome the post and his modest rivals in this age-restricted Open class.

Then one race later in the 10th, the featured $25,000 Delaware Special for the top pacers with First State connections, look for Just A Jolt (Kirby) to regain his winning ways in his second start of the season. Last week in the New Year's Day event, Just A Jolt was burdened with post eight and trailed through much of the race in an apparent training mile, but he rallied wllingly in the land to finish fifth. He draws post three this evening and should be expected to control the tempo virtually from the outset here. Last year's Governor's Cup hero on Governor's Day at Harrington, Just A Jolt appears well worth backing at 8-5 or more.