Dover, DE — After going off stride last week, Fruit Snacker made amends and held on gamely to win the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (March 24).
It was a scramble for early position as A Blue Million (post 5), Last Glow (post 4) and Fruit Snacker (post 7) all left as Benjamin Hanover and driver Tim Tetrick sprinted quickly along the pylons to protect rail position and force the outside challengers to find seats into the first turn. However, Fruit Snacker and driver Tony Morgan would not back down and bullied their way to the top after being parked out. The opening quarter was reached in a robust :27.2. Last Glow continued to grind on the outside parked out, but Fruit Snacker refused to take any prisoners and led the field of quality trotters to the half in :56.
Approaching the three-quarter pole, Last Glow became leg weary, forcing Arrowhead Hanover to vacate his second-over bid and circle three-wide. Victor Laszlo also circled wide as 2-1 favorite Benjamin Hanover waited patiently in the pocket.
Fruit Snacker continued to breathe fire reaching the three-quarters in 1:24.1.
At the top of the stretch, Arrowhead Hanover continued his relentless charge and was closing in on the pacesetter Fruit Snacker, who dug in late and held on to win by a nose in 1:52.3.
Arrowhead Hanover finished second; pocket sitter Benjamin Hanover was third.
Fruit Snacker, a son of Dover Dan, is trained by Will Reynolds for owner Mark Howard. He paid $7.60 to win.
“He raced terrific after being parked out and dug in late,” said Reynolds. “I was afraid of Benjamin Hanover racing in the pocket. This is probably his best race of the season. I give a lot of the credit to Mark Howard for finding him.”
Tim Tetrick drove six winners on the 15-race card.
The feature race on Wednesday (March 25) will be the $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, carded as race 8. Jett Propelled, last week’s winner, must navigate the outside post 8. She faces Racin Hungry, who upset her two weeks ago.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.