Dover, DE – Im Still Here, a maiden no more, won the $51,300 Bally’s Dover Late Closer for DSBF eligibles at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (March 28) night.

Captain Pete left quickest off the gate and was parked to the quarter by Papas Son at the opening quarter in :27.3 over a sloppy race surface. Beat Cop who won eight consecutive races settled in third and moved under a full head of steam past the quarter. A fired up Captain Pete and 1/9 betting favorite would not yield and parked out Beat Cop to the half in :56.1, a :28.3 panel.

Im Still Here takes the Late Closer in a stunner for Montrell Teague. Fotowon photo.

The two combatants matched strides at the three quarters in 1:24.3, a duplicate, :28.3 quarter. Papas Son enjoyed the pocket trip and waited along the pylons to strike. Better Dig Two followed the action second-over and Im Still Here was shadowing third-over. At the top of the stretch, Driver Montrell Teague dived down along the pylons saving ground and raging with pace. It proved to be the winning strategy as Im Still Here won by a nose in 1:55.3. He paid a whopping $151.80 for the win.

Im Still Here (Emeritus Maximus) is owned by Cindy L. Englebach-Callahan and Walter O. Callahan both from Delaware. Walter Callahan trains and Montrell Teague drove. Papas Son was second and Shocking Truth finished third.

The Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace was won by Maximus Miki in 1:50.3. Penzance Hanover cut the mile and posted fractions of :26.3 to the opening quarter. The half was reached in :55.2. Maximus Miki moved first-over challenging Penzance Hanover down the backstretch. Energetic Hanover followed second-over and Muskateer Hanover sat in the pocket.

Im Still Here in the winner’s circle after the Late Closer. Fotowon photo.

Penzance Hanover and Maximus Mike raced side by side to the three-quarters in 1:23 flat, a :27.3 quarter standoff. Maximus Hanover powered past Penzance Hanover in the stretch and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.3. He paid an even $4.00 to win. Maximus Mike (Always B Miki ) is owned by John Cancelliere of Clark N.J.

Penzance Hanover raced for the final time this season.

Thomas Cancelliere trained and Andrew McCarthy drove. Energetic Hanover was second and Muskateer Hanover was third.

Tim Tetrick was the leading driver of the Bally’s Dover meet and Chuck Crissman Jr. the leading trainer. Dreaming of Lou was the USHWA horse of the Bally’s Dover harness meet.

Bally’s Dover live harness racing meet concluded for the season. Harrington Raceway begins their live harness meet on April 8th.