Downers Delight held on over the determined Stevens Saloon to complete a front-end victory in the $33,784 Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Downers Delight left quickest off the wings and was on a mission for Pat Berry, pacing the first quarter in :27.2 as fellow leavers Wehadababyetzaboy (Mike Cole) and Primo Maschio (Corey Callahan) retreated into the two- and three-holes, respectively. Downers Delight was in full control until Stevens Saloon (Jason Thompson) advanced first-up and appeared in the leader's rear-view mirror at the half in :56.1.
Downers Delight and Stevens Saloon were at each other’s throats to three-quarters in 1:23.2, with the latter putting a neck in front at that station. He was unable to clear, though, and Downers Delight muscled his way back to the lead in deep-stretch to win by a neck in 1:51.2. Itsrockandroll A (Tim Tetrick) closed for third.
Downers Delight is trained by Traci Berry and owned by TLB Racing LLC. The eight-year-old Bettors Delight-Astrmowin gelding is 26-for-115 lifetime. He returned $3.20 as the bettors' choice.
There is a Pick 4 carryover worth $1,387 to Monday’s card.
(Dover Downs)