Dover, DE — Mississippi Storm rode the pocket to a 1:54 victory in Tuesday night’s (Feb. 22) $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs.

Mississippi Storm (foreground) rallied from the pocket to narrowly prevail in Tuesday’s featured trot at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

Mississippi Storm left alertly and settled into the pocket behind JL Cruze and Art Stafford Jr., who set early fractions of :26.4 and :56.1. Northern Express angled first-over past the half and advanced to engage JL Cruze at three-quarters in 1:24 while Mississippi Storm continued to stalk from the pocket. Driver Pat Berry angled the 7-year-old Cantab Hall gelding off the rail at the top of the stretch, and the pair rallied to eclipse Northern Express — who briefly led in upper stretch — by a neck. JL Cruze was a beaten third.

Tom Fanning trains Mississippi Storm, who paid $8.60 to win, for Joseph Smith.

Berry won three races on the 12-race card.

Wednesday night’s (Feb. 23) $25,000 Mares Open Pace features Shes Pukka N, Major Occasion A and Soho Burning Love A. First post is 4:30 p.m.