Dover, DE — Tight Lines equalled the Dover Downs track record for older trotting geldings with a 1:51.2 performance in Tuesday night’s (Feb. 18) $27,500 Open Trot.

Tight Lines surged to a track record-equalling 1:51.2 mile in Tuesday’s Open Trot at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

JL Cruze blasted off the gate and appeared to intimidate the field as he set fractions of :26.3 and :55.2 while even money favorite Joey Bats settled in the pocket. The field remained in single file until Tight Lines hustled first-up out of third for driver Corey Callahan while tracked by Jack Vernon in the outer tier. Tight Lines pressured JL Cruze to a :27.4 third quarter before clearing to the lead at the top of the stretch.

Tight Lines, who was sent off at 9-5 odds, prevailed for his second consecutive win by 1-3/4 lengths. Joey Bats escaped traffic behind a tiring JL Cruze to save second, while Jack Vernon rode cover to finish third. JL Cruze tired and finished seventh, while his full sister, Sheez On A Cruze, finished last in the eight-horse field after an early break in stride.

Trainer Jeff Gregory shares ownership of Tight Lines, a 7-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, with the Jesmeral Stables and William Richardson.

Tim Tetrick won four races on the card; Callahan won three.