Dover, DE – A Blue Million punched his ticket winning his third consecutive start in the $25,000 Open Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Jan. 13).
Open Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night. Quenton Egan Photo.
There was plenty of early racing action as Fruit Snacker, A Blue Million, Speed Away and Last Glow all left for early race position trotting into the first turn.
Fruit Snacker won the early battle taking the field of quality trotters through an opening quarter in a quick :27.2. Speed Away finally cleared the lead in front of the stands after being parked out from the quarter pole.
Last Glow and driver Jack Parker Jr. had to wait for the dust to clear then rocketed to the top before the half after being parked out most of his early journey. The half was reached in a taxing :55.3, a :28.1 quarter.
Last Glow continued to lead up the backstretch. Fruit Snacker maneuvered off the pylons for a second move attacking first over past the half. Saint K shadowed second over and Somebody grabbed the third over trip. Speed Away continued to race in the pocket, and A Blue Million, the 5-2 betting favorite, waited to time his move third along the pylons.
Last Glow, the 25-1 longshot, continued to roll to the three quarters in 1:24.1, a :28.3 third quarter. Last Glow held the lead at top of the stretch, Speed Away angled down along the pylons from his pocket position. A Blue Million found room further along the pylons and exploded to the top late to win by a neck. He trotted his mile in 1:54.1 and paid $6.80 for the win.
Speed Away finished second. Last Glow was third.
A Blue Million (Swan In A Million) is owned by Stephen Stoll of Montgomery, IN. Roman Stoll is the breeder. Tim Crissman trained and Montrell Teague drove
The feature race on Wednesday (Jan. 14) will be the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace where Factory Girl seeks a three peat win.
Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.