Dover, DE – Tuesday night (Dec. 2), the 6-5 favorite Navy Blue made a late charge down the stretch to win by a nose in Bally’s Dover featured Open Handicap Trot.
Glow boasted his usual quick early speed and breezed past the opening quarter in a brisk :28.1 over a moist surface rated fast. Indy Be Quick secured the pocket position.
Driver Jack Parker Jr was able to take advantage of the single file lineup, throttling the speed of Last Glow through a half in :57.2, a :29.1 quarter.
Last Glow maintained a comfortable lead entering the backstretch. Victor Laszlo mounted a charge racing first over. Navy Blue, who had been traveling in fourth, countered with a second-over push but was gapping cover as the field approached the three quarters in a stepped up 1:26 with a :28.3 third quarter.
At the top of the stretch, Last Glow became leg weary. Victor Laszlo seized the opportunity and grinded past the pacesetter. Navy Blue was charging hard in deep stretch and edged clear to win by a nose in 1:55.2. He paid $4.40 for the victory. Victor Laszlo finished second. Last Glow was third.
Navy Blue (Anders Bluestone) is owned by Austin Clarence Stafford from Felton, DE and F. Wyatt Starkey from Sudlersville, MD. Stacey Johnson-Stafford trained and Arthur Stafford Jr. drove.
After the race, trainer Stacey Stafford- Stafford was beaming and exclaimed “He always races with a big heart.”
The victory was Navy Blue’s sixth win in 10 starts this racing season.
The featured race on Wednesday is the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Ragtime Red looks to win back-to-back races in the event.
There are also two $20,000 DSBF elimination races for Three Year Old Fillies on the pace.
Corey Callahan and Tim Tetrick drove three winners each on the 15-race betting card.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a first race post of 4:30 p.m.