Dover, DE – Racin Hungry saved ground early and exploded late to win the Mares Select Handicap pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night (March 11).
Three pacing mares left side by side entering the first turn. Disturbed Hanover left alertly from post six playing hard ball by parking out both Racin Hungry (post 7) and Jett Propelled (post 8) who was forced three-wide.
Jett Propelled was able to clear the lead approaching the quarter-pole when Disturbed Hanover surrendered to the pocket. Racing Hungry landed in third along the pylons. The opening quarter was reached in a sizzling :26 seconds flat. Driver Jason Thompson and Jett Propelled were able to tap the brakes and backed off the half in :55.2, a :29.2 quarter.
Four to five betting favorite Square Deal and driver Tony Morgan angled off the rail and began to gather momentum up the backstretch first over. Ballast was carried into a perfect second-over striking position on the rim. Disturbed Hanover guarded pylon position from the pocket. Square Deal who continued to race parked out attempted to play spoiler. She drew alongside pace setter Jett Propelled, whose three- race win streak was in jeopardy. Both pacing mares squared off racing side by side with neither giving up real estate. The three quarters were marched off in 1:22.3, a :27.1 scorcher.
At the top of the stretch Square Deal had the lead but not the rail. Jett Propelled dug in for dear life along the pylons. Racing Hungry angled off the pylons from fifth and was closing like a locomotive
Racin Hungry surged late and prevailed to win by a head. She paced the mile in 1:51.3 and returned $12.40 for the win.
Square Deal finished second and Jett Propelled and her three-race win streak came to an end finished third. Racin Hungry (Stay Hungry) is owned by Glenn Goller of Delray Beach Florida and Stephen Demeter of Tarrytown, New York. Traci Berry trained and her husband Pat Berry drove. Pat Berry earned a driving triple. Earlier, Berry recorded a milestone 5,000 career driving victories.
The feature race on Thursday is the $25,000 Open Handicap Pace. Muskateer Hanover returns after a brief vacation and takes on the 11-year-old iron horse Itsrockandroll A and Steven’s Saloon.
Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.