Factory Girl vaulted past last week's top-class winner, Ballast, from the pocket to win the $34,722 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Factory Girl and driver Tim Tetrick chose a different race strategy from last week's off-the-pace effort, tonight leaving quickly from the word go and engaging in a three-horse scramble into the first turn. Square Deal (Tony Morgan) guarded the pylon position, parking out Factory Girl and Ballast (Corey Callahan), who were stacked two- and three-wide, respectively, to her outside approaching the quarter. Factory Girl, the 3-2 favourite, took over past the first station in :26.3 but yielded to a revved-up Ballast, who continued unchallenged through a half of :54.2.

Longshot Grandeur Seelster (Mike Cole) grinded first-over up the backstretch but was unable to bother Ballast, who raced confidently to three-quarters in 1:22.1. At the top of the stretch, Factory Girl vacated the pocket and roared past Ballast to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a lifetime-best-equalling 1:50.3. Ballast finished a well-fought second, and Square Deal picked up the show position.

Factory Girl, a seven-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside-Passionate Beauty, is owned by Angela Cornell. Scott Di Domenico trains the mare, who is now 15-for-71 lifetime. She paid $5 to win.

Tetrick scored a driving triple on the 15-race card.

The next program at Dover on Thursday features the $25,000 USD Open Pace. Renaissance Deo will attempt to extend his two-race win streak while stepping up in class. Open regulars Downers Delight, Stevens Saloon, Primo Maschio and Dale Yeah look to spoil his fun.

(With files from Dover Downs)