Square Deal switched tactics to a front-end approach and captured the $34,247 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Driver Tony Morgan and Square Deal’s strategy in their recent starts had been to leave quickly then save ground along the pylons, but not on Wednesday. Morgan and Square Deal wanted the lead and got it but were parked out by Factory Girl (Tim Tetrick) through the opening quarter in :26.4. Factory Girl, the even-money favourite, finally chose to accept the pocket and cede control at the first station.

Square Deal sped to the half in :55 unopposed, but midway up the backstretch, Ballast (Corey Callahan) kicked off a first-over rush with Racin Hungry (Pat Berry) taking the second-over tow. Square Deal continued on the engine and flew to the three-quarters in 1:23, then held off Factory Girl by three-quarters of a length in the stretch, completing the mile in 1:52. Jett Propelled (Jason Thompson) finished third off a ground-saving trip.

Willard Reynolds trains Square Deal, who is now 24-for-78 lifetime. The six-year-old daughter of Heston Blue Chip-Fourbyfour Hanover is owned by Mark Howard of Federalsburg, Md. She returned $6.60 to her backers.

There will be a superfecta carryover worth $1,478 and a Pick-4 carryover of $1,085 to Thursday night’s card at Dover. The feature event on Thursday will be the 10th-race $27,500 USD Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace, in which Downers Delight will look to make it three straight wins. He will contend with nemesis Muskateer Hanover and sharp veteran Itsrockandroll A.

(With files from Dover Downs)