Dover, DE — Itsrockandroll A and driver Tim Tetrick found room along the pylons and won the Blue Hen Open Handicap at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Dec. 18).
It was a case of role reversal. Last week, Itsrockandroll A cut the mile and finished second, just beat on the wire. This week, Itsrockandroll A, the 1-2 favorite, accepted the pocket trip and won.
At the start of the race, Downers Delight left fastest of all and grabbed the early lead approaching the quarter pole. Itsrockandroll A maneuvered to the pocket.
Downers Delight raced comfortably on the lead and set a :26.3 opening quarter. The field remained in single file as the half was reached in :55.1.
Muskateer Hanover was the first to pull from off the pylons and raced first-over up the backstretch. Wehadababyetzaboy chased second-over. Hundred Dollar Man shadowed third-over on the rim. Itsrockandroll A was revved up from the pocket awaiting his cue to attack.
Downers Delight received heavy pressure from Muskateer Hanover as both pacers raced as a pair passing the three-quarters in 1:22.4.
At the top of the stretch, Muskateer Hanover started to weaken. Wehadababyetzaboy found his best stride and later ran out of real estate. Itsrockandroll A angled along the pylons and sprinted clear to win in 1:50.4. Downers Delight finished second and Muskateer Hanover was third.
Itsrockandroll A (A Rocknroll Dance) is owned by Elizabeth and Bret Brittingham and trained by Don Brittingham.
Live harness racing at Bally’s Dover will be dark next week, and will return on Monday, Dec. 29.