Dover, DE — Tarkio braved a coverless trip to win the $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace on Thursday night (Dec. 8) at Bally’s Dover.

Even-money favorite Backstreet Shadow, debuting for trainer Jim King Jr., left confidently from post eight and was parked by Mack through a :26.2 quarter before pushing clear to cut the half in :54. Tarkio and driver Tony Morgan pulled first-over from fifth after the half and ground forward to duel with Backstreet Shadow to three-quarters in 1:23.2 while Shoobee Doo A shadowed second-over. Tarkio sprinted 3-1/2 lengths clear turning for home and won by a measured half length.

Tarkio held off the late challenge of new millionaire Slick Tony to win Thursday’s Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover. Fotowon photo.

Slick Tony (driven by Montrell Teague), who finished a fast-closing second after eclipsing the cover of third-place finisher Shoobee Doo A (Corey Callahan), eclipsed $1 million in career earnings.

Wayne Givens trains Tarkio, a 4-year-old Betting Line gelding, for Legacy Racing of Delaware Inc. and Reginald Hazzard.

Morgan and Art Stafford Jr. won three races each on the card.

Racing at Bally’s Dover continues on Monday (Dec. 12); the featured race is the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund final for 3-year-old trotting fillies. First post is 4:30 p.m.