Mrmayor Hanover said goodbye to the year 2024 and coasted to victory in the $36,232 Open Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night, Dec. 31 despite high winds and rain.
The betting favourite, Mrmayor Hanover floated on the outside, waited for the field to settle, then rushed to the top at the quarter pole. He reached the first marker in :27.1 before getting a breather to the half in :56.4.
The field remained in single file trotting midway up the backstretch. Resolve To Win raced first-up while Chapheart followed second-over in perfect striking position on the rim. Meanwhile, Swans Maid viewed the race action from the pocket.
Mrmayor Hanover raced well within himself passing the three-quarters in 1:25.2 then extended his lead in the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:54.2. Chapheart finished second and The Gruffalo came on for third.
Mrmayor Hanover (Explosive Matter-Mrs Ronerail) is owned by Sartin Racing of Bear, Delaware. Chuck Crissman Jr. trains the six-year-old gelding, who has won consecutive races at Dover and ended the season with 10 wins from 35 starts. Mrmayor Hanover paid $4.80 to win.
The trotter was one of six winners driven by Tim Tetrick on the 13-race betting card and preceded a victory by his stablemate Somebody Special.
The career of JL Cruze was celebrated in the winner’s circle after the 13-year-old trotter competed in the 12th race. Driven by Montrell Teague, the Crazed-Topcat Hall gelding finished third in the race and was honoured in a trackside presentation for reaching the $2 million USD earnings mark. Eric Ell trains the double millionaire, who has won 73 races in his career including 10 in 2024, for owners Ken Wood, William Dittmar Jr., and Stephen Iaquinta.
Racing continues at Dover on New Year’s Day with a 4:30 p.m. post time. There will be a $13,170 carryover for the Pick 5, which begins in the sixth race and is a $1 wager.
(With files from Bally's Dover; Top photo of Mrmayor Hanover from a previous win)