Entering the second month of his 13-year-old season, JL Cruze upset a field of quality conditioned trotters at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Feb. 6).
I Get It left alertly in the $22.973 featured trot and forced JL Cruze and Certify to yield to early fractions of :27.3 and :57. Last Glow raced first-over up the backstretch, towing 6-5 favourite That Old Bar Stool into perfect striking position from second-over. Meanwhile, JL Cruze watched all the action from the pocket as I Get It continued on the lead to three-quarters in 1:25.4 and Last Glow’s charge wilted. JL Cruze surged out of the pocket to win in 1:54.4 by 1-1/4 lengths. I Get It finished second after cutting the mile and Certify closed to finish third.
JL Cruze, who paid $12.40 to win, was driven by Art Stafford Jr., trained by Eric Ell and owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr. and Stephen Iaquinta. The Crazed gelding, a back-to-back winner at Dover, notched his 65th lifetime victory as he approaches the $2 million mark in earnings.
Majorca N and Jody will battle in the Mares Winners Over/Select Pace on Wednesday night. A $1,055 Pick-5 carryover will also be offered. First post time is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)