JL Cruze caps Dover hat trick

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.

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.

Back to Top

Share via