Dover, DE — Tight Lines took the overland route to the winner’s circle in Tuesday night’s (Feb. 11) $27.500 Open Trot at Dover Downs, posting a sparkling 1:52.2 mile over a sloppy track.

Tight Lines sustained a first-over grind to take Tuesday’s Open Trot at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

Corey Callahan floated Tight Lines forward from his assigned post seven, and the pair dropped in fourth behind early fractions of :27.2 and :56 set by Home’n Dry. Up the backstretch, Tight Lines rushed first-over while mare Sheez On A Cruze was towed closer with second-over cover. Tight Lines wore down Home’n Dry past three-quarters in 1:24, and 4-5 favorite Joey Bats found room to angle out of the pocket to take aim in the stretch. Joey Bats went off stride turning for home, and Tight Lines drew off to win by a widening 2-1/4 lengths. Sheez On A Cruze passed Joey Bats nearing the wire to finish second; Joey Bats maintained third after surviving an inquiry due to his break in stride.

Trainer Jeff Gregory co-owns Tight Lines, a 7-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, with the Jesmeral Stable and William Richardson.