Dover, DE — Navy Blue stormed home to win the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Nov. 11).
Duly Resolved was sent in action and was parked three-wide into the first turn by Victor Laszlo, who accepted the pocket trip. Speed Away, the 3-2 favorite, also left for early position but settled along the pylons in fourth.
Duly Resolved, last week’s Open winner, sped past the opening beam in :27.1 and continued on a comfortable journey reaching the half in :56.2.
Moving into the backstretch and against chilly weather conditions, Duly Resolved continued on the point. Speed Away amped up the pressure trotting first-over, Navy Blue followed on a helmet second-over, and Dyladmar countered third-over up the backstretch. Duly Resolved continued in front, reaching the three-quarters in 1:25.1, but was under siege.
At the top of the stretch, Speed Away wore down the pacesetter from his first-over surge. Navy Blue circled three-wide and charged home in deep stretch to win in 1:55.2 by a half length.
All Wrapped Up closed to finish second; Duly Resolved picked up the show spot.
Navy Blue, who paid $31.60 to win, is owned by Austin Stafford and Wyatt Starkey. Stacy Johnson-Stafford trains the 6-year-old Anders Bluestone gelding, and Art Stafford Jr. handled the driving duties.
There is a Pick-5 carryover of $2,192 on Wednesday’s (Nov. 12) card, which is headlined by the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. First post is 4:30 p.m.