Dover, DE – Navy Blue set sail and won the $25,000 Open Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night, giving him back-to-back victories in the event.
Vlahos and All Wrapped Up played give and go as both trotters left quickly at the start of the race. Vlahos grabbed the early lead, with All Wrapped Up regaining after reaching the opening quarter in :27.4.
All Wrapped Up guided the field to the half in :57, with Vlahos content to sit the pocket while 9-5 favorite Navy Blue waited patiently along the pylons in fourth. Navy Blue then started to unwind first-over up the backstretch. Mickey Muscles shadowed second-over on the rim and Victor Laszlo started his journey third-over.
All Wrapped Up continued on a tenuous lead, reaching three-quarters in 1:25.3, a 28.3 quarter. Navy Blue surged past the pacesetter and began to draw off from the field in deep stretch. He trotted the mile in 1:55 and won by 1-3/4 lengths, returning $5.60 for the victory. Mickey Muscles finished second and Victor Laszlo was third.
Navy Blue, a 6-year-old son of Anders Bluestone, is owned by Austin Stafford and F Wyatt Starkey. Stacey Johnson-Stafford trains the gelding, who was driven by Art Stafford Jr. It was a family affair in the winner’s circle with mom, dad and son celebrating the victory.
The featured eighth race on Wednesday’s betting card is the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. There is a $6,777 superfecta carryover to Wednesday’s races.
On Thursday, there will be two Progress Pace eliminations, with fields of seven 3-year-olds competing for a purse of $35,000 in each. The Progress Pace eliminations take place on 12th and 14th races on the 15-race betting card. The top four horses in the official order of finish in each elimination will compete for the estimated $250,000 Progress Pace final on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a first-race post of 4:30 p.m. (EST).