Factory Girl assembled a New Year’s Eve upset victory, storming home from off the pace to capture the $34,247 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Jett Propelled (Jason Thompson) quickly sprinted to the front in a :26.4 quarter while Huntress (Allan Davis) secured pocket positioning and Tim Tetrick dropped Factory Girl in fourth. Jett Propelled remained on cruise control and led a field of Dover's best distaffs to the half in a moderate :55.3. Ballast (Corey Callahan), the three-year-old taking on aged mares, maneuvered to the outside with a rush first-over midway down the backstretch. Factory Girl slid out behind her and drafted through three-quarters in 1:23.2.
Turning for home, the field began to close in on Jett Propelled and Huntress, who was trapped along the pylons. Ballast started to weaken from her first-over charge, and Factory Girl swung out and raced side-by-side with Racin Hungry (Pat Berry) as both mares made their charges. Factory Girl dug in late and held off Racin Hungry by a nose to prevail in 1:52.4 Ballast was third by a neck.
Factory Girl, a six-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside-Passionate Beauty, was making her second start off a three-month layoff for trainer Scott Di Domenico and owner Angela Cornell. She is now 13-for-68 lifetime. The win payout was $12.80.
Tony Morgan topped the drivers on the final card of 2025 as he made five visits to victory lane. The reinsman's wins came with Square Deal ($2.40), River Of Fear ($40), Here We Go Bb ($6.40), Pasta Delight ($5.60), and Half A Shekel ($4.40). Morgan, who became the second driver ever to reach 18,000 career wins earlier this year, ends 2025 with 213 tallies on the year in 1,306 starts.
Racing continues at Dover on New Year’s Day. The featured 12th race is the $27,500 USD Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace. Itsrockandroll A and Downers Delight are paired together, renewing their rivalry.
(With files from Dover Downs)