Warrior One won the Open Handicap Trot going wire to wire on Tuesday night (Jan. 4) at Dover Downs.
Driver Yannick Gingras left aggressively from the gate. The strategy proved to be a winning one. Amigo Volo and Victor Kirby also left quickly, but out of respect to the speed of Warrior One, settled into the three path at the quarter in :27. Yannick Gingras was allowed to control the pace and throttled the speed of Warrior One to reach the half in :57.
The 3-5 betting favourite — Amigo Volo and driver Victor Kirby — moved off the pylons past the half and trotted coverless on the rim to take on a headstrong Warrior One. Both trotters reached three-quarters in tandem in 1:24.4.
Crystal Fashion and driver Montrell Teague, benefitting from a pocket journey, attacked along the inside, challenging Warrior One in the deep stretch. Warrior One dug in to win by a nose in 1:53 and paid $7.80 for the win.
Warrior One (Father Patrick-Yoga-Muscles Yankee is owned by Frank Canzone and Yannick Gingras and is trained by Ron Burke.
Crystal Fashion benefitted from the perfect trip and finished second for trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. Montrell Teague drove. Amigo Volo, forced to race 1st up, tired late and finished 3rd for trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman. Victor Kirby drove.
Tim Tetrick scored four victories on the 13-race betting card. Open Pacing Mares are in the spotlight in Wednesday’s (Jan. 5) 12th race.
Dover Downs first-race post is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(Dover Downs)