Dover, DE – Muskateer Hanover found room along the pylons and won his second consecutive Blue Hen Open pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Jan. 8).
The 3-5 betting favorite, Itsrockandroll A blasted off the wings of the starting gate to grab an early lead.
Tom Horn, who had won 10 consecutive races, rushed up on the outside but was parked out by Itsrockandroll A, who played bully to a snappy :26.4 opening quarter. Tom Horn then cleared the lead after the opening quarter.
However, Itsrockandroll A and driver Tim Tetrick, in an attempt to retake the lead, interfered with Downers Delight forcing him three wide before the half. The half time was marched off in a taxing :54.3, a 27.4 quarter.
Motoring up the backstretch, the front-end battle royale ensued. Itsrockandroll A continued on the lead but received heavy pressure from the parked out Downers Delight. Dale Yeah joined the attack second over. Wehadababyetzaboy participated in the fight, racing third over parked out. Muskateer Hanover saved ground along the pylons.
Itsrockandroll A continued on a tenuous lead reaching the three quarters in a blistering 1:21.4, a 27.1 quarter.
At the top of the lane, Itsrockandroll A became the victim of the all out pressure and began to get leg weary. Muskateer Hanover found room late skirting along the pylons to win by a neck in 1:50.4. He paid $11.20 for the victory.
Longshot Wehadababyetzaboy surged late to finish seconnd and Dale Yeah finished third.
Muskateer Hanover ( Sweet Lou) is owned by Mulligan Stables of Georgetown, DE and Calcutta Stable LLC from Rehoboth Beach, DE. Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. were the breeders.
There is a superfecta carryover worth $2,079 and a Pick-4 carryover worth $1,746 going into Monday’s (Jan. 12) racing card.
Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.