JL Cruze rolled to his third consecutive win against the Open trotters at Bally's Dover on Tuesday evening (Jan. 17), collecting the winner's share of the $25,000 purse.
Out of the gate, JL Cruze outsprinted the favourite Lexus Kody heading into the first turn. Lexus Kody broke stride approaching the :27.2 opening panel as Northern Express secured the pocket trip. JL Cruze hammered out middle splits of :56.3 and 1:25 before Inaminute Hanover attempted a first-over move up the backstretch. That bid stalled and JL Cruze was left uncontested for the mile. JL Cruze won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4. Art Stafford Jr. was at the controls for trainer Eric Ell and owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr., and Stephen Iaquinta.
Northern Express (Russell Foster) finished second and Inaminute Hanover (Allan Davis) was third.
After this victory, JL Cruze has won 55 times and has surpassed $1.83 million in career earnings.
Stafford completed a hat trick on the evening card.
Racing continues on Wednesday (Jan. 18) at Bally's Dover with the featured Mares Winners Over/Select Handicap Pace as Divine Deo takes on Shanghai Seelster, Beyond Words N and Shes Pukka N. First post is at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)