Bally's Dover hosted a 15-race card on the Tuesday evening (Nov. 1) program and the 12th race featured a $25,000 Open Trot amongst popular names in harness racing.
Mississippi Storm (Victor Kirby) took the early lead in the feature ahead of favoured Crystal Fashion and Tim Tetrick. Kirby cut the mile, posting the opening quarter in :27.1. A second quarter breather in :30 brought the field to the half in :57.1. Tetrick and Crystal Fashion continued to sit the pocket trip behind Mississippi Storm as Star Razor (Corey Callahan) pulled first-up with Hatikvah (Ross Wolfenden) in pursuit behind the cover. Hatikvah was pushed three-wide as Star Razor started to back through the field. After the clock hit 1:25.3 at the three-quarters, Tetrick was able to move Crystal Fashion in between the gap and make a charge at the leading Mississippi Storm; however, the pair was unable to make up enough ground and Mississippi Storm won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.3.
Chuck Crissman trains second place finisher Crystal Fashion and the Chris Scicluna trainee, Hatikvah, rounded out the triactor.
Mississippi Storm, a seven-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall, is a winner of $767,626 in 117 starts with a record of 35-21-21 lifetime and 6-3-4 ($152,643) in 22 starts this year. The Thomas Fanning trainee is owned by Joseph Smith and has his most notable wins in the Liberty Bell in his two- and three-year-old campaigns as well as in the Simpson.
Tim Tetrick had four driving wins on the Tuesday evening card.
The Mares Open Pace is in the spotlight on the Wednesday evening (Nov. 2) card where a tough field of seven meet on the Dover oval to battle for the $25,000 purse. Post time for the 12th race Fillies and Mares Open is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday. On the following night Thursday, four divisions of the Matron Stakes for two-year-olds will be hosted in one early non-wagering class at 4:10 p.m. and throughout a 14-race card set to begin at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Dover Downs)