Jett Propelled avenged last week’s narrow defeat — which ended her three-race win streak — by going gate-to-wire in the $34,247 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday, March 18.
Jett Propelled, from post five, and Ballast (Mike Cole), from post six, left the gate together and raced abreast into the first turn. Jett Propelled was driven aggressively from the start by Jason Thompson and forced Ballast to accept the pocket trip. That early scuffle produced an opening quarter of :26.2, but the favoured leader hit the brakes to the half in :55.4.
Disturbed Hanover (Barton Dalious) braved a first-over trip up the backstretch, giving cover to Racin Hungry (Pat Berry), last week's winner, to three-quarters in 1:23.4. Jett Propelled led the group into the final turn, with Disturbed Hanover still there first-up and Racin Hungry moving three-wide while Ballast held the pocket. The pacesetter straightened for home on top, and she outlasted the trio of pursuers to prevail in 1:52.2 by three-quarters of a length over the closing Racin Hungry. Almost Persuaded (Russell Foster) got up for third.
Jett Propelled, now a winner of four of her last five starts, is owned and trained by Bob Shahan of Harrington, De. The daughter of Roddys Bags Again-Jett Away is now 20-for-74 lifetime. She paid $3.60 to win.
“She dug right in and was very tough tonight," said Shahan after the race. "I was very happy with her performance tonight.”
The feature race on Thursday’s 15-race card at Dover is the 12th-race $25,000 USD Open Handicap Pace. Downers Delight took a week off and returns to the races searching for his fifth victory in his last six starts in the event. Itsrockandroll A and Stevens Saloon are the main threats. There are also two divisions of the Bally’s Dover DSBF Eligible Late Closing Series for three-year-old colt-and-gelding pacers.
(With files from Dover Downs)