Dover, DE — Backstreet Shadow showed his class in Thursday’s (Jan. 12) $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover, coasting to a 1:50.4 score on a sloppy but speed-favoring track.

After disappointing in his three previous tries, Backstreet Shadow sustained a first-over push from fourth through the final half to get back in the win column as the 1-2 favorite. Island Of The Sea left alertly and protected the rail position before reaching the quarter in :27 and then yielding to Grand Cayman, who passed the half in :56. Another lead change was imminent, as Tim Tetrick gave Backstreet Shadow his first-over cue from fourth heading into the clubhouse turn, and the 8-year-old Shadow Play gelding steamrolled Grand Cayman at the five-eighths. Backstreet Shadow imposed his will on the field in the stretch and won throttled down by 3-1/4 lengths for trainer Jim King Jr. and owner Robert DiNozzi.

Backstreet Shadow steamrolled to the top and didn’t look back in Thursday’s Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover. Fotowon photo.

Grand Cayman (driven by George Napolitano Jr.) held on to finish second; Mack (Ross Wolfenden) overcame traffic trouble to finish third.

Tetrick and Napolitano drove four winners each on the 14-race card.

Racing at Bally’s Dover continues on Monday (Jan. 16); post time is 4:30 p.m.