Dover: Burke duo looks to close out 2021 with a Progress Pace win

Trainer Ron Burke has a rather large stable, so it comes as no surprise as the stakes season concludes he'll have two major contenders in the final 3-year-old colt and gelding event. With Lou's Pearlman and Southwind Gendry, Burke appears primed for another major purse extraction in the $310,000 Progress Pace on Wednesday at Dover Downs.

"They are both coming into the race sharp," said Burke on Monday. "They really went at it in the elimination but both of mine finished strongly."

Lou's Pearlman, who landed post 2 for the final, played a big part in the solid pace in the November 17 elimination heat and then rallied inside for Yannick Gingras to score in 1:49 2/5. Stablemate Southwind Gendry rallied from the back of the pack with a late explosion to finish second just a neck off the winner. Southwind Gendry drew post 8 for the final with David Miller in the bike.

"We've done well in this race," said Burke of the durability his 3-year-olds have shown historically. "We buy a bigger horse and we train them hard."

That strategy has paid off handsomely over the years, with the 2018 Progress champion This Is The Plan a vivid example of Burke's program and how it plays out in the long run.

"Racing aged horses has been our bread and butter," said Burke proudly of the pacing power he's had in aged events that figures to extend into next year's crop. "They are both coming back next year."

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First things first and that means a solid field in the Progress for Burke's pair to contend with. Charlie May (post 7) went a brutal overland trip in the elimination race and was still lapped-on the winner finishing fourth. The altered son of McArdle has won 10 of his 21 starts this year proving his durability and extreme toughness. Charlie May has earned $842K this year and that number would have been much higher had he not been disqualified in this year's Meadowlands Pace.

Charlie May may have drawn outside, but he won the Tim Tetrick lottery over two others in the field and that could be key to victory. Tetrick knows the Dover circuit perhaps better than any driver currently active and his success in the Progress is beyond compare. Tetrick has in fact captured the last three Progress finals, last year with Fortify and in 2019 with Shake That House in an upset over Captain Crunch. Tetrick also piloted This Is The Plan for Burke in 2018.

Trainer Tony Alagna, like Burke, has two finalists in the Progress with Abuckabett Hanover (post 1) and Rockyroad Hanover (post 5) both viable contenders. Hampered by tough-luck draws throughout his sophomore campaign, Abuckabett Hanover finally lands the coveted pole position for driver Andy McCarthy. A seven-time winner in 2021, Abuckabett Hanover was parked a long way in the elimination and cut a wicked pace before being collared late in the stretch. Rockyroad Hanover had his moment in the sun literally on Hambletonian Day capturing the Cane Pace at The Meadowlands. Since then, he's been competitive at the highest level but will need to pick up his game for driver Dexter Dunn if he's to score the upset in this field.

Owner Eric Good made some major investments at the recent Harrisburg auction and he put up $25,000 to see his 3-year-old colt Hellabalou gain supplemental entry into the Progress. He was fortunate to reach the final after finishing eighth in the elimination, but the Sweet Lou-sired colt was the victim of a tough shuffle after leading early in that mile. Todd McCarthy picked up the drive behind Hellabalou (post 3) when Tetrick opted off.

Chase H Hanover is another horse that was a victim of a shuffle in the trials and was not far off at the finish. Chase H Hanover (post 4) picks up Matt Kakaley in the bike for the final.

Rounding out the field for the Progress final is Virgo (post 6), a solid performer in Indiana this season for trainer Dylan Davis.

Dover Downs hosts a 15-race program on Wednesday with first post at 4:30 p.m. Scheduled post time for the Progress is listed at 8:10 p.m.