Art Stafford, Jr. timed his move perfectly with Tiger Thompson N en route to capturing Thursday’s $20,000 Open Handicap at Dover Downs.
Sent off at odds of 16-1, Tiger Thompson N got away sixth in the eight-horse affair while U S Captain shot to the top and carved out fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:23.
Stafford swung his charge into the flow on the way to the half, and Tiger Thompson N was still tracking cover from third over while sitting sixth as the field headed into the final quarter of the featured contest. The Joshua Parker trainee launched off cover late and powered home in :27 en route to winning by a length over JJ Flynn in 1:51. Race favourite Itsrockandroll A was third.
The eight-year-old son of Big Jim-Aziza won for the third time this season from six attempts while pushing his lifetime win total to 18 with the upset tally. The lion’s share of the loot pushed the pacer’s earnings to $278,365 for owners Nanticoke Racing Inc, Joshua Parker, Stephen Messick and Prestige Stable.