Dover, DE — A Blue Million saved ground and upset the field at 16-1 in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (March 17).
Duly Resolved and driver Corey Callahan proved to be the aggressor early, parking out Fruit Snacker (post 5), Last Glow (post 3) and Benjamin Hanover
(post 6) three-wide into the first turn.
Fruit Snacker paid the price early and finally cleared the lead past the opening quarter in :27.4. Last Glow and driver Jack Parker Jr. rushed quickly after being parked out and grabbed the lead away from Fruit Snacker in front of the stands. A stubborn Last Glow continued on the engine, keeping Benjamin Hanover parked through the half in a sizzling :55.3.
Racing up the backstretch, Last Glow received pressure from Duly Resolved, who raced first-over. Fruit Snacker, who had won three races in a row, remained in the pocket. Benjamin Hanover started to fade after being parked out the mile. A Blue Million and Victor Laszlo saved ground along the pylons in fourth and fifth, respectively. Both trotters waited for an opportunity to spring late.
Last Glow raced on a tenuous lead reaching the three-quarters in 1:24.4. However, opportunity struck when 3-5 favorite Fruit Snacker made an untimely break past the three-quarter pole.
A Blue Million and driver Montrell Teague took advantage of Fruit Snacker’s misfortune and gathered momentum along the pylons at the top of the stretch to win by a length in 1:54.1.
Last Glow fought hard and finished second. Duly Resolved finished third.
A Blue Million is owned by Stephen Stoll and Nathan Yoder and trained Tim Crissman trained. He paid $34 to win.
The featured race at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday (March 18) will be the $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace. Racin Hungry looks for back-to-back wins in the event.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.