Dover, DE — On Higher Ground won the $26,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday (Nov. 7).

Crystal Fashion, the even-money favorite, surged to the lead early from post eight. On Higher Ground, a 6-year-old gelded son of Cassis, floated on the outside in line to Russell Foster then accelerated forward to the quarter in a rapid :27.1 before forcing Crystal Fashion to take a pocket seat. The pair reached the half in :55.4 before Muscle Dynasty made first-over gains past the half to offer mild pressure to On Higher Ground at three-quarters in 1:24.4.

On Higher Ground remained on cruise control into the stretch and won by a non-threatening three quarters of a length in 1:54. Crystal Fashion (driven by Tim Tetrick) finished second; I Get It (Victor Kirby) was third.

On Higher Ground repelled the inside challenge of Crystal Fashion to win Tuesday’s Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover. Fotowon photo.

On Higher Ground, trained by Jenn Bongiorno for Robert Weinstein and JB Racing, paid $7.20 to win.

When racing returns to Bally’s Dover on Wednesday (Nov. 8), there will be an $845.39 Pick-5 carryover (races 6-10) and a $1,207 pentafecta carryover (race 15).

On Thursday (Nov. 9), Bally’s Dover hosts the Matron Stakes for 3-year-olds, in races six, eight, 10 and 12. Confederate was supplemented into the $170,850 Matron for sophomore male pacers (race 12), which honors former Brandywine Raceway president Hap Hansen.

Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday; post time is 4:30 p.m.