Dover, DE — Speed Away held off a fast-closing Last Glow to win Tuesday’s (Dec. 9) $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover.
Even-money favorite Last Glow left alertly at the start of the race. Indy Be Quick settled into the pocket and Speed Away bided his time in third approaching the quarter.
However, driver Corey Callahan called upon Speed Away early, and the pair sprinted past Last Glow, who yielded the lead through a :28.2 opening quarter. Speed Away continued on a mission and led the field of quality trotters to the half in a moderate :57.4.
Indy Be Quick braved the chilly temperatures and raced first-over up the backstretch. Navy Blue duplicated a second-over trip from his win last week.
Speed Away continued on the lead confidently, passing the three-quarters in 1:25.4.
The backfield was in motion when Indy Be Quick started to weaken after being parked out. Navy Blue circled three-wide and Somebody Special thundered four-wide at the top of the stretch. Last Glow saved ground along the pylons and surged late but ran out of racing room. Speed Away dug down deep to win by a nose in 1:55.1. Last Glow finished second; Somebody Special rolled late to finish third.
Speed Away, a 7-year-old Father Patrick gelding, is owned by Breakaway Racing and Yorwollahan Racing Team and trained by Nick Callahan. He paid $15.60 to win.
The feature race on Wednesday (Dec. 10) at Bally’s Dover is $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, carded as race 12. Ballast, last week’s winner, takes on Ragtime Red and Huntress. There are also three $20,000 DSBF preliminary races for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.