Dover, DE — After working to clear the lead from her outside post, Always B First narrowly survived a late onslaught of challengers to prevail in a four-horse photo in Wednesday night’s (Feb. 15) $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover.

Sent the 1-2 favorite in line to Tim Tetrick, Always B First left hard from post seven and cleared Shes Pukka N for the lead at the end of a blistering :26.2 quarter. She continued to lead through a :55.1 half and extended her advantage to two lengths past three-quarters in 1:23.1 while Disturbed Hanover mounted a first-over challenge from out of midfield. In mid-stretch, Always B First became leg weary, but she dug in late to win by a diminishing neck in 1:52.2. Feeling Sweet (Pat Berry) charged off cover for second; Dewitt For Josie (Simon Allard) rallied from last to finish third.

Always B First found the line in time, staving off a bevy of late challengers to win Wednesday’s Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover. Fotowon photo.

Robert Cleary trains Always B First, a 5-year-old daughter of Always B Miki, for Ooompa’s Farm Inc., Robert Mondillo, Craig Henderson and Allen Wenc.

Art Stafford Jr. led all drivers with three winners on the 13-race card.

Racing returns to Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Feb. 16), with Penzance Hanover taking on Backstreet Shadow in the featured Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace. First post is 4:30 p.m.