Inaminute Hanover capitalized on a perfect trip to win the $25,714 Winners Over/Select Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Swans Maid (Jim Morand), the lone mare in the field, applied early pressure, parking out a fired-up Last Glow (Jack Parker Jr.). That Ole Bar Stool (Jason Thompson) also left alertly from the outside but settled along the pylons in fourth approaching the quarter. Last Glow eventually cleared the lead but may have paid the price, reaching a sharp :27.1 opening panel before backing down the pace to a :57.3 half.
Rivers (Corey Callahan), the 2-1 favourite, made a first-over move before the half, gaining momentum down the backstretch while Mickey Muscles (Ross Wolfenden) tracked second-over. Swans Maid waited patiently in the pocket, while Inaminute Hanover appeared locked in until Mickey Muscles broke stride before three-quarters. Driver Russell Foster seized the opportunity, angling Inaminute Hanover off the pylons into striking position.
Last Glow reached three-quarters in 1:25.3, but Inaminute Hanover, benefiting from race flow, surged at the top of the stretch. He outsprinted Swans Maid to the wire, prevailing by half a length in 1:55, returning $13.60 for the victory. Swans Maid finished second, with Rivers rounding out the trifecta.
Inaminute Hanover, a seven-year-old Bar Hopping-Im On Cloud Nine gelding, is trained by Jenny Bier and owned by Beauty Bridle Racing Stable Inc. of South Amboy, New Jersey.
Tony Morgan had a strong night, driving four winners on the card.
Wednesday night’s feature is the $25,000 USD Mares Open Handicap Pace in Race 14, where Majorca N aims for her fourth consecutive victory, facing top rivals Incaseyoudidntknow and Disturbed Hanover. In Race 11, Ludacrous A, who impressed with a 1:52 score in her U.S. debut last week, returns in a conditioned event for pacing mares.
Wednesday’s betting menu features several carryovers, including $2,838 for the Pick-4, $1,465 for the Pick 3, and $490 for the Pick 5.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a 4:30 p.m. post time.
(With files from Bally’s Dover)