Black Hope and 21-year-old driver Cole Olsen took the overland trip to a 17-1 upset in the $33,784 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Jan. 23).
Global Believer S, the 3-2 favourite, sprinted to the top from post seven and reached the opening quarter in :27.1, seating Northern Express and Russell Foster in the pocket. Driver Tim Tetrick throttled the speed of Global Believer S and continued on an uncontested lead at the half in :56.2 before Black Hope began his first-over bid out of fourth up the backstretch. Global Believer S faced pressure from a fired-up Black Hope as they raced as a team to the three-quarters in 1:25.1. Black Hope wore down Global Believer S in the stretch and won by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:54.4. Darbyshire closed late to finish third for Tony Morgan.
Black Hope, a five-year-old Bar Hopping gelding, is owned and trained by Darren Olsen.
Wednesday’s (Jan. 24) program features Feeling Sweet taking on Southwind Icenfire and Got The Gold in the Mares Winners Over/Select Pace, as well as a $2,075 Pick-5 carryover. First post time is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)