Dover, DE — Fruit Snacker made amends for a miscue and disqualification last week and punished a field of high-level conditioned trotters at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Feb. 17).
Indy Be Quick sprinted to the early lead, parking out both Fruit Snacker and Last Glow through the :28.3 opening quarter. Fruit Snacker, the 4-5 favorite, finally cleared the lead in front of the stands. Last Glow remained parked out as both trotters fought hard to the half in :57.2.
Fruit Snacker was on a mission and continued to torture the parked-out Last Glow up the backstretch. He remained on attack and led the trotters to the three-quarters in 1:25.3. Last Glow could not sustain the uncovered bid any longer and weakened, forcing Iwon’t Backdown AS to circle three-wide from his second-over stance. Arrowhead Hanover started his assault on the leader, circling four-wide at the top of the stretch, while Indy Be Quick saved ground along the pylons.
Fruit Snacker won by 1-1/2 lengths, trotting the mile in 1:54.3. Indy Be Quick benefited from the pocket trip to finish second; Iwon’t Backdown AS finished third.
Fruit Snacker, a son of Dover Dan, is owned by Mark Howard, trained by Willard Reynolds, and was driven by Tony Morgan. He paid $3.60 for the victory.
The featured race on Wednesday’s (Feb. 18) card is a high-level conditioned pace for fillies and mares, carded as race 10. Always B Merry continues to climb the condition ladder and aims for a fourth consecutive win. The card also features a $1,463 Pick-4 carryover. First post is 4:30 p.m.