Northern Express has posted a record of 0-5-2 in his last seven starts in the feature division at Bally's Dover, but rallied from a second-over trip to get the job done on Tuesday evening (Feb. 14) in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot.
Three horses left hard out of the gate, but JL Cruze was the one to claim the top as they reached the quarter in :27.2. Fifty Ways grabbed the pocket trip as Northern Express moved into third. As the field passed the half in :56.3, JL Cruze was still on top, but facing pressure from a first-over Embrace The Grind. Northern Express followed the cover on the outside. Embrace The Grind faded and JL Cruze had a 2-1/2-length advantage at the three-quarters in 1:25. Driver Russell Foster tipped the seven-year-old Northern Express three wide, motoring on by the leader. Northern Express won by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.1. Muscle Dynasty (Corey Callahan) sprinted in the stretch to grab second and Fifty Ways (Ross Wolfenden) was third.
Arty Foster Jr. owns and trains Northern Express.
Tony Morgan drove three winners on the betting card.
Racing returns on Wednesday (Feb. 15) with the featured Mares Open Handicap Pace as Always B First takes on Shes Pukka N and Divine Deo. First race post time is at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)