Racin Hungry took the overland route and won the $33,784 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, Feb. 4. 

Square Deal (Tony Morgan) and Ballast (Corey Callahan) matched strides at the start, with a stubborn Square Deal parking Ballast through the first quarter of :27.3. Ballast made the front just past that point and raced uncontested through the half in :55.3 before Racin Hungry exploded off the pylons from fifth for Pat Berry. 

She braved the chilly air and began her journey first-over up the backstretch, and Square Deal remained in the pocket while Ballast braced for the menacing brush presented by Racin Hungry. The pacing mares eyeballed each other at three-quarters in 1:24.2 and clashed into the stretch, where Racin Hungry edged past a tough Ballast to win by a measured length in 1:53.2. Square Deal got up for second over Ballast. 

Racin Hungry is owned by Glenn Goller of Delray Beach, Fla. and Stephen Demeter of Tarrytown, N.Y. Traci Berry trains the six-year-old daughter of Stay Hungry-Four Starzz Meliss, who is now 23-for-74 lifetime. The win price was $16.20.

"Last week, [Racin Hungry] started to make her move, but I had to grab her up a bit racing up the backstretch," said Pat Berry. "Tonight, I wanted to race her first-over the way she likes it."

The night was a special one for Berry, as he celebrated his 50th birthday with the feature win and a driving triple on the 15-race program. 

There is a Pick 5 carryover worth $4,744 and a superfecta carryover of $1,186 heading into Thursday's card. The feature race will be the $25,000 USD Open Handicap Pace. Itsrockandroll A is set to return after a month away, and Muskateer Hanover will look for his fourth consecutive victory. 

(With files from Dover Downs)