Dover, DE — Mark Howard’s Fruit Snacker lived up to fives-on billing in Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover, coasting to a commanding 1:53.2 win and capping a hat trick for driver Tony Morgan.
The 4-year-old Dover Dan-First Avenue gelding made a measured move to the top through the first turn, pushing clear of Somebody Special (driven by Brandon Givens) and Dyladmar (Russell Foster) just past a :27.1 first quarter. Fruit Snacker then rated middle fractions of :56.3 and 1:24.4 before working to evade a mild challenge from the first-over Arrowhead Hanover (Troy Beyer) through the final turn.
Off the corner for home, Fruit Snacker held off an inside bid from a driven Somebody Special by a half length while measured under a stout Morgan rein. Arrowhead Hanover stayed on for third, another half length in arrears.
Willard Reynolds trains Fruit Snacker, who exceeded $100,000 in seasonal earnings with his 10th victory of the year and the 21st of his career. He paid $2.40 to win.
Morgan also won with Tim Crissman trainee Some Waratah A ($5.60, 1:53.2) and George Polk Jr. trainee No More Sweets ($86, 1:55.1).
In the sub-featured $18,000 winners-over trot, Every Day Dan and driver Michael Cole made every pole a winning one, outlasting a late rally from That Ole Bar Stool (Art Stafford Jr.) by thee-quarters of length for a 1:54.3 score. Joe Columbo trains the 6-year-old Dover Dan-Emerald Bling gelding, who paid $5.20 to win as the 8-5 public choice, for George & Tina Dennis Racing.
Live racing returns to Bally’s Dover on Wednesday (Nov. 4) with a 15-race program beginning at 4:30 p.m. (EST). On the wagering front, the 50-cent pentafecta, offered in the finale, has a carryover of $2,409.31.
For more information, visit ballysdover.com.