Always B First survived a four-horse flash photo and won the Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night (Feb. 15).
Always B First left quickest away from the starting gate and grabbed the lead passing the quarter in a blistering :26.2. She continued to lead the field to the half in :55.1. Disturbed Hanover moved first over from fifth and passed the half. Feeling Sweet picked up the live flow from a second-over position. Always B First maintained a two-length advantage passing the three-quarters in 1:23.1. Always B First became leg weary in mid-stretch, but dug in late to win by a diminishing neck in 1:52.2. Feeling Sweet finished second and Dewitt For Josie rallied for third.
Always B First is owned by Oompa’s Farm Inc. Robert Mondillo, Craig Henderson and Allen Wenc. Robert Cleary trained and Tim Tetrick drove the $3 winner.
Art Stafford Jr. drove three winners on the betting card.
Penzance Hanover takes on Backstreet Shadow in the Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Feb. 16). Post time for the first race is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(Bally's Dover)