Dover: Lou's Pearlman victorious in Progress Pace elimination

Lou's Pearlman was the winner of Wednesday night's single $35,000 Progress Pace elimination for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Dover Downs. A field of ten lined up behind the gate to whittle down the group to eight for the $300,000 (est.) final a week from today.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Lou's Pearlman pressed on two-wide after floating out from post four and took the lead away from Hellabalou (Tim Tetrick) after the 26 3/5 opening quarter. Abuckabett Hanover (Andy McCarthy) then came to call on the outside, and he took over the top spot before the 53 4/5 half, leaving Charlie May (Tony Morgan), who had started from a trailing post ten, uncovered and first-up.

McCarthy and Abuckabett Hanover wouldn't release Charlie May, and they battled to a 1:20 4/5 three-quarters and around the final bend. Virgo (Corey Callahan) caught up to cover to sit second-over, and he was tracked in the outer tier by Chase H Hanover (Art Stafford Jr.), Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn), and Southwind Gendry (David Miller). While those horses were stacked up two-wide, Lou's Pearlman had a great view of the duel between Abuckabett Hanover and Charlie May and was just waiting for some room.

In the stretch Abuckabett Hanover continued to fend off Charlie May, but Lou's Pearlman attacked in the passing lane and was able to get a narrow advantage. Lou's Pearlman would hold on to the wire from there, beating a rallying and widest Southwind Gendry by a neck in 1:49 2/5. Abuckabett Hanover wound up third over Charlie May, and Rockyroad Hanover checked in fifth. Also moving on to the final were Chase H Hanover, Virgo, and Hellabalou.

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A Sweet Lou colt, Lou's Pearlman is trained by Ron Burke, who finished first and second in the race, for owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Elizabeth Novak. Howard Taylor also co-owns Lou's Pearlman, now a 13-time winner and an earner of $768,013. The 3-2 favorite, Lou's Pearlman paid $5.00 to win.