A Blue Million improved to three-for-three at Bally’s Dover while stepping up to the $34,722 Open Trot on Tuesday, Jan. 13, winning his third straight start for trainer Tim Crissman.
There was plenty of early racing action as Fruit Snacker (Troy Beyer), A Blue Million (Montrell Teague), Speed Away (Corey Callahan) and Last Glow (Jack Parker Jr.) all left for position into the first turn. Fruit Snacker won the early battle, taking the field of quality trotters through an opening quarter in a quick :27.2. Speed Away, who was parked out from the quarter, finally cleared to the lead in front of the stands. Last Glow waited for the dust to clear, then rocketed to the top before the half in :55.3 after racing outside for most of his early journey.
Fruit Snacker shifted off the pylons for a second move on the backstretch, attacking first-over past the half. Speed Away continued to race in the pocket, and A Blue Million, the 2-1 favourite, stayed patient from third on the rail. Last Glow, a 25-1 longshot, rolled to three-quarters in 1:24.1 and held the lead at top of the stretch. Speed Away angled down along the pylons from his pocket position, but A Blue Million found room further along the pylons and surged to the top late to beat him by a neck in 1:54.1. Last Glow was a tough third.
A Blue Million, a five-year-old son of Swan In A Million-Ipo Blue Chip, is owned by Stephen Stoll. He is unbeaten since his first Dover start on Dec. 30 and is now 17-for-57 lifetime. He paid $6.80 for the win.
(Dover Downs)