Sprocket won his third race in a row after holding off Penzance Hanover in the $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace on Thursday (Feb. 17) at Dover Downs.
Fresh off his 1:48.2 track record-equalling performance for aged pacing geldings last week, driver Pat Berry launched Sprocket off the gate fast from post eight and was parked three-wide into the first turn. Penzance Hanover and 4-5 favourite Movin On Up, who parked Sprocket early, took advantage of the hot pace and took seats before the opening quarter.
Sprocket controlled the race fractions and paced the opening quarter in :27. The half was reached in a rated :55.4 (:28.4) before Berry took advantage of 20 mph wind conditions at his back with Sprocket pacing the third quarter in a sizzling :25.4, reaching the pole in 1:21.3.
In the stretch, Sprocket started to become leg weary while Penzance Hanover and Movin On Up were charging fast. However, Sprocket was able to dig down deep and prevail by a diminishing neck in 1:50 flat. He paid $6.80 to win. Penzance Hanover finished for second for trainer/driver Art Stafford Jr. and Movin On Up was third with Tim Tetrick in the bike.
Sprocket, a seven-year-old Sportswriter gelding with 17 career wins, is trained by Traci Berry and owned by Edwin F. Gannon Jr. of Dover, Delaware.
Pat Berry had a driving triple on the program while Tetrick recorded four wins.
Racing resumes on Monday at Dover Downs. There is a $14,668 Pentafecta carryover on the 12th and final race. Post time for the first race is 4:30 pm.
(With files from Dover Downs)