JL Cruze caps Dover hat trick
January 17, 2023,Dover, DE — JL Cruze rolled to his third consecutive top-level win, taking Tuesday’s (Jan. 17) $25,000 Open Trot at Bally’s Dover in 1:53.4.
JL Cruze outsprinted 1-2 favorite Lexus Kody heading into the first turn. After Lexus Kody broke stride approaching the :27.2 quarter, Northern Express secured the pocket and then continued to stalk JL Cruze through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:25. Inaminute Hanover braved a first-over move up the backstretch, but that bid stalled, leaving JL Cruze uncontested for the entire mile. The 12-year-old Crazed gelding won under wraps by 1-3/4 lengths, with Art Stafford Jr. in the driver’s seat for trainer Eric Ell and the partnership of Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr. and Stephen Iaquinta.
![](https://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/JL-Cruze-2023-01-17.jpg)
JL Cruze won for the 55th time in his career — and the third time in a row — in Tuesday’s Open Trot at Bally’s Dover. Fotowon photo.
Northern Express (driven by Russell Foster) was second; Inaminute Hanover (Allan Davis) finished third.
With the victory, JL Cruze passed $1.8 million in career earnings. He paid $10.20 to win. Stafford led all drivers with three wins on the 14-race program.
Racing at Bally’s Dover continues Wednesday (Jan. 18), with the featured Mares Winners Over/Select Handicap Pace featuring Divine Deo taking on the likes of Shanghai Seelster, Beyond Words N and Shes Pukka N. First post is 4:30 p.m.