Dresden surged late and took the top $17,000 mares condition pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night (March 22).
A Delightful Act N left alertly and parked out Shield Maiden and Divine Deo pacing to the quarter. Divine Deo cleared the lead and Shield Maiden accepted the pocket. The quarter was reached in :26.1 and Divine Deo maintained the lead to the half in :55.3.
A Delightful Act N moved first over past the half and wore down pacesetter Divine Deo midway down the backstretch. Dresden lost that cover but gained momentum on the rim. The 8-5 betting favourite Best Head West followed Dresden’s flow but her bid failed. Dresden challenged A Delightful Act N to the three-quarters in 1:23.2.
A Delightful Act N continued to lead by a half-length entering the stretch. Dresden drew closer on the outside. Divine Deo utilized the pocket trip and gained momentum along the pylons. Dresden was able to wear down A Delightful Act N late and won by a length and a quarter in 1:52.1. A Delightful Act N took second with Divine Deo settling for third.
Dresden is owned by Henderson Farms of Chicago, Illinois. She paid $7.20 to win. Tim Tetrick drove the Robert Cleary trainee.
Art Stafford Jr. and Allan Davis won three races each on the betting card.
Racing resumes on Thursday (March 23) at Bally’s Dover. The feature race is the 12th race Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace. Penzance Hanover puts his five-race win streak on the line. Rose Run Uriah, the world record holder for a five-eighth mile dash, is also entered. Post time on Thursday is 4:30 p.m. (EDT).
(Bally's Dover)