Downers Delight scored his third victory in his last four starts and completed a triple for trainer Traci Berry as he captured the $34,247 Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Outside starters Downers Delight and Itsrockandroll A (Russell Foster) exploded off the gate in unison, but Downers Delight won the early battle and claimed command at the first station, paying a :25.3 price for the privilege. Allan Davis looked to the outside briefly with Muskateer Hanover from third but ducked back to the pylons as Downers Delight seized control.

Pat Berry throttled back the speed of Downers Delight to the half in :54.4, and the pacesetter went unopposed onto the backstretch. Muskateer Hanover gained momentum first-over on the way to three-quarters and drew eye-to-eye with Downers Delight at that marker in 1:22.4, but the leader dispatched the attacker on the final turn. In the stretch, Downers Delight drew off from pocket-sitter Itsrockandroll A and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:50.4. Itsrockandroll A was second, followed by Muskateer Hanover.

"I was a little concerned with the :25.3 quarter and Itsrockandroll A coming late," Pat Berry said after the win.

Downers Delight ($8.60) snagged his 27th career win in 117 starts and upped his seasonal stats to three-for-six. The eight-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Astrmowin, owned by TLB Racing LLC, capped off a triple on the night for the Berry Brigade.

Traci Berry's other winning trainees, both steered by Pat Berry, were Raw Power ($2.40) and Shore Not Beach ($4.60). The conditioner, following a career-best campaign of 59 wins, is 14-for-44 this year, a win rate of 31.8 per cent. Pat Berry made it a driving grand slam via the Bobby Glassmeyer-trained Forward Look ($12.20), tying Tim Tetrick for wins on the 14-race card.

Former Berry trainee Armed Bandit ($2.60) kept the ball rolling as the seven-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip-Bandolera Hanover extended his winning streak to 11 in a $25,342 claiming race for horses tagged at $47,945. He made it two straight wins for trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. and owner Wade Wyatt, who claimed him out of this class on Feb. 12, with a 1:51.1 victory by 2-1/2 lengths. Tim Tetrick piloted the gelding, who is now 22-for-78 lifetime.

(With files from Dover Downs)