Night Terror romped in the $51,900 DSBF Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace Final at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (March 30).
Night Terror, the 1-2 betting favourite, showed off his quick early speed and reached the lead easily. Nottes Mist settled in the pocket and the rest followed single file. Night Terror reached the opening quarter in :27.3. Driver Allan Davis backed the tempo to a moderate :57 half.
The outside tier was in motion heading down the backstretch. Delightinhisglory surged first over without cover. Ajayi shadowed second over and was in perfect position to pounce. Galway Guy was third over on the outside.
Night Terror rebuffed the challenges and continued confidently on the lead reaching the three quarters in 1:25. At the top of the stretch, Nottes Mist charged from out of the pocket saving ground; however, that bid stalled. Night Terror won in hand in a lifetime-best 1:52.4 by 1-1/2 lengths. Nottes Mist settled for second and Bad Boy Too was third.
Night Terror is owned by Leblanc Racing, William Lutz Jr, Count De Money Stable and Ronald Jones. Steve LeBlanc trains the $3 winner.
Longshot Heinikin Bythebay held on to win the $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace.
Sparks were flying early at the start of the race as three pacers fought for the early advantage. Grand Cayman held his ground and parked out betting favourite Island Of The Sea and Heinikin Bythebay, who was parked three-wide. They raced to the quarter in :26.2. Island Of The Sea cleared past the quarter then released an already parked out Heinikin Bythebay. Heinikin Bythebay owned the lead daring all challengers as he reached the half in :54.2.
Capt Jack Hanover took his cue past the half and braved a coverless, first-over trip on the rim and down the backstretch. Downers Delight was towed into a second-over trip. Komodo Beach flanked third over in the outer flow and Penzance Hanover was fourth over on the outside, encountering excess traffic from an impossible position. Heinikin Bythebay and Capt Jack Hanover duelled to the three-quarters in 1:22.1
At the top of the stretch, Heinikin Bythebay maintained a dwindling lead as others came calling. Island Of The Sea attempted to duplicate his win last week by snaking through along the pylons. Grand Cayman was the aggressor early in the race and angled to the outside in full flight. Wager On Me was locked in and was praying for racing room but those prayers were unanswered. Heinikin Bythebay was defiant and held on to win by a nose in 1:51.2. Island Of The Sea settled for second and Grand Cayman was third.
Heinikin Bythebay is owned by KDK Standardbreds of Harrington, Del. Tim Tetrick drove the Kevin Switzer trainee, who paid $23 to win.
Tony Morgan was the leading driver for the Bally’s Dover meeting while Joe Columbo was the leading trainer. Penzance Hanover was voted the Bally’s Dover Horse Of The Meet.
(Bally's Dover)