Belmont Royale N closed from well off the pace and thundered home to win the $36,667 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Jan. 11).

My Miki Beach left quickly from the start of the race, parking out Energetic Hanover to the opening quarter in :26.1. Energetic Hanover continued on an uncontested lead to the half in :54.3.

The backfield was in motion when Soaring Now raced first over. Penzance Hanover followed second-over cover and Belmont Royale N shadowed third over on the rim. Energetic Hanover continued on the engine passing the three-quarters in 1:21.4, a :27.1 quarter.

At the top of the stretch, Soaring Now’s bid stalled forcing Penzance Hanover to circle three-wide and Belmont Royale N followed on a four-wide brush. I Did It Myway, the 3-2 betting favourite, was trapped along the inside with pace.

Belmont Royale N surged late and won by a half length, pacing the mile in 1:50.4. He paid $22.80 for the win. Penzance Hanover finished a late-closing second. Energetic Hanover cut the mile and finished third.

Belmont Royale N (Betterthancheddar-Royal Spin) is owned by Archie McNeil, Hall of Famer Bill O’Donnell and Enzed Racing Stable Inc. Richard 'Nifty' Norman trained and Victor Kirby drove. The seven-year-old gelding earned his 17th career victory from 62 starts and now has $184,472 banked in purses.

There is a Pick 4 carryover of $1,477, a Pick-5 carryover worth $664 and a Pentafecta carryover of $1,795 to Monday’s card. Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a post time of 4:30 p.m.

(With files from Bally's Dover)