Northern Express steamrolled to a 1:55.1 victory in Tuesday night’s (Feb. 27) $33,784 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover.
Northern Express battled for the early lead with I Get It, settling before Russell Foster rushed him to the top at the :27.3 quarter. The son of Muscle Massive backed the half down to :58.1 before 13-year-old JL Cruze braved a first-over trip up the backstretch and forced Northern Express to pick up the tempo to three-quarters in 1:26.1. Northern Express drew off in the stretch and won by 2-1/4 lengths. JL Cruze fought hard and finished second. I Get It was third from the pocket.
Arty Foster III trains Northern Express, an eight-year-old gelding who went over $600,000 in lifetime earnings with his 38th career win, for owner Arty Foster Jr. The victory followed up a close runner-up finish in last week's Open, a head behind I Get It, and was his first win in four starts this year. Sent postward as the 2-1 favourite, he paid $6.40 to win.
Tim Tetrick scored a driving grand slam.
Jody seeks back-to-back wins against Delaware’s top distaff pacers on Wednesday night, taking on Tae, Southwind Icenfire and six others in the $17,000 Winners Over feature. First post is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)