Itsrockandroll A and Muskateer Hanover finished in a dead heat for the win in the $34,247 Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday, March 12.
Itsrockandroll A (Russell Foster), leaving from post five, and Muskateer Hanover (Allan Davis), away from post seven, started alertly from their outside slots and raced together into the first turn. Muskateer Hanover, coming off a week absence, powered to the top and completed the opening quarter in :26.4 over the sloppy track. Itsrockandroll A accepted the pocket trip. Renaissance Deo (Art Stafford Jr.) moved to the outside in front of the stands and attacked first-over approaching the half in :56.2.
Muskateer Hanover braced for the charge of Renaissance Deo and reached the three-quarters in 1:25.2 with a 1-1/2-length edge. At the top of the lane, Renaissance Deo started to become leg weary, and second-over Wager On Me (Mike Cole) and third-over Jacks Shadow N (Tim Tetrick) could not sustain their bids on the outside. Itsrockandroll A, the 1-5 favourite, saved ground along the pylons and charged on the inside down the stretch. Muskateer Hanover dug in though, and the pair finished in a dead heat in 1:52.4. Renaissance Deo was third.
Itsrockandroll A, an 11-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance-Miss Worthy Whitby, is owned by Elizabeth and Bret Brittingham. Don Brittingham trains the gelding, who is now 45-for-162 lifetime. He paid $2.10 to win.
Muskateer Hanover improved to 24-for-89 lifetime. Jason Johnson trains the six-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou-Marinade Hanover for Calcutta Stable LLC. The win price was $3.
Joe Columbo sent out three winners on the 13-race card, tallying with Back Pocket Miki ($3.40), Sea Life Hanover ($6.40) and Discovery ($24). The conditioner, who took the training title at Harrington Raceway last season, is 25-for-324 across all tracks this campaign.
The Bally’s Dover Late Closer for three-year-olds begins next week.
(Dover Downs)