Disturbed Hanover capitalized on a perfect second-over trip to spring a 9-1 upset in the $35,714 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, March 19.

Lulu Rocks (Jason Thompson) and Cindy Jo (Pat Berry) battled for early position, with Lulu Rocks reclaiming the lead at the quarter in :27.2, forcing Cindy Jo into the pocket. She controlled soft middle fractions of :57 and 1:24.4 while heavy 1-5 favourite Ludacrous A (Corey Callahan) launched a first-over bid, looking to extend her three-race win streak. Disturbed Hanover and driver Barton Dalious followed live cover, perfectly positioned behind the Aussie mare.

Turning for home, Ludacrous A began to tire, opening the door for Disturbed Hanover to sweep three-wide. Cindy Jo, saving ground along the pylons, surged late, but Disturbed Hanover hit the wire first in 1:53.2, paying $21.20 for the upset. Cindy Jo settled for second, while Ludacrous A held on for third.

Disturbed Hanover, a nine-year-old daughter of Big Jim-Driven To Sin, is owned by The Wiz Kids Stable LLC and trained by W. Bart Dalious, who was all smiles as his son, Barton, guided her to victory. “She felt good off the trip, but I wasn’t sure if she was going to get there,” Barton admitted post-race. “She did!” 

The mare now boasts seasonal earnings of $79,726 lifetime earnings of $579,712.

Earlier on the betting card, trainer Les Givens swept both legs of the Bally’s Dover Late Closer for three-year-old pacing fillies with Little Miss Peyton and Bella Artiste. Additionally, Montrell Teague scored four driving wins, while Tony Morgan added three.

Thursday’s feature race, the $25,000 USD Open Handicap Pace, will showcase a showdown between three past winners in the class: Wehadababyetzaboy, Itsrockandroll A, and Captaincountrystar.

Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a first race post time of 4:30 p.m.

(With files from Bally’s Dover)