Mississippi Storm thundered home off a perfect trip and won the Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday night (Feb. 22).
JL Cruze and Mississippi Storm left alertly from the wings of the starting gate and settled in first and second, respectively, trotting to the quarter. JL Cruze and driver Arthur Stafford Jr set race fractions of :26.4, :56.1 and 1:24. Northern Express trotted first over past the half and engaged JL Cruze at the three-quarter marker.
Mississippi Storm sat in the pocket behind pacesetter JL Cruze. Driver Pat Berry angled off the pegs and thundered home at the top of the stretch to win by a neck in 1:54. He paid $8.60 for the win.
Mississippi Storm is owned by Joseph E. Smith of Vero Beach, Fla and trained by Tom Fanning.
Northern Express raced bravely first over and finished second for trainer Arty Foster Jr. Russell Foster drove. JL Cruze finished third for trainer Eric Ell. Arthur Stafford Jr. drove.
Pat Berry won three races on the betting card.
On Wednesday night (Feb. 23), the $25,000 Mares Open Pace features Shes Pukka N, Major Occasion A and Soho Burning Love A.
Post time at Dover Downs is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(Dover Downs)