Dover, DE – Itsrockandroll A benefitted from a pocket-trip and won the Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Feb. 27) night. Captaincountrystar took advantage of the good racing surface and outsprinted the field through an opening quarter in :27.2. Itsrockandroll A secured the pocket position, and the remainder of the field retreated to the pylons.
Captaincountrystar controlled the pace of the race and was allowed to back off the half in :56.1, a :28.4 quarter The 8/5 betting favorite Armada Hanover, a winner in his last three starts, angled off the pylons and traveled first-over down the backstretch. Wehadababyetzaboy was towed into a seond-over trip. Itsrockandroll A was in perfect race position to strike from the pocket.
Captaincountrystar and Armada Hanover were on even terms passing the three quarters in 1:24, a :27.4 quarter. Turning for home Itsrockandroll A enjoyed his role as the pocket rocket and found room late along the pylons to win by a head in 1:51.4.
He paid $7.40 for the victory. Pacesetter Captaincountrystar finished second and Armada Hanover was third. Itsrockandroll A (A Rocknroll Dance) is owned by Elizabeth and Bret Brittingham of Delaware. Don Brittingham trains and Allan Davis drove.
Tim Tetrick drove four winners on the betting card. Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m.