Battling through frigid temperatures and a field of six strong trotters, Benjamin Hanover secured his fourth consecutive victory on Tuesday, Jan. 21, dominating the Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover.
Chapheart (Pat Berry) made a quick move from the middle of the track, forcing the 2/5 favourite Benjamin Hanover (Tim Tetrick) to race parked through the opening quarter in a brisk :28. However, Benjamin Hanover powered past Chapheart to take an uncontested lead, reaching the half in :56.4. Rivers (Corey Callahan) pressed first over as the field moved down the backstretch. Inaminute Hanover (Russell Foster) found live cover, sitting second over, while Resolve To Win (Troy Beyer) mounted a third-over grind on the outside. Meanwhile, Chapheart sat comfortably in the pocket. As the race progressed, Benjamin Hanover continued his confident stride, hitting the three-quarter mark in 1:25.4. With a powerful final push, he drew off in the stretch, crossing the wire 1-3/4 lengths ahead in 1:53.3, returning $2.80 for his efforts.
Chapheart benefitted from his pocket trip to finish a solid second, while Rivers fought gamely to round out the top three.
Benjamin Hanover, a five-year-old gelding by Sebastian K out of By A Neck Hanover, is trained by Scott Di Domenico and owned by Angela Cornell of Freeport, NY. This victory marks his 21st lifetime win, boosting his career earnings to $239,712.
Tim Tetrick drove six winners on the 14-race betting card.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a 4:30 p.m. post time.
(With files from Bally’s Dover, photo of Benjamin Hanover from previous win)